Purple Barbarini™ Dianthus

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6-11 Inches

Mature Spread

6-11 Inches

Growing Zones

5 to 8

Purple Barbarini™ Dianthus, Purple Barbarini™ Sweet William, Purple Picotee, or Dianthus Barbarini Purple, is a vibrant, easy-to-grow, summer-blooming biennial with aromatic blooms of magenta and purple with contrasting white eyes. It is a dwarf hybrid strain whose show-stopping clusters of bright, fringed flowers are only part of its appeal. It grows from 6 to 8 inches high with a spread of 6 to 9 inches. It is self-seeding and works as a cut flower in arrangements and bouquets. 

Native to Europe and Asia, Purple Barbarini™ Dianthus is a classic cottage garden plant known for its excellent texture and bright colors. It attracts butterflies and is rabbit resistant. When planted en masse, it has a remarkable fragrance that will sweeten your summer days. It is a perfect addition to any pot or container and works well as a ‘filler’. Exercise caution, as it is toxic to dogs and cats if ingested.

Purple Barbarini™ Dianthus Care

Purple Barbarini™ Dianthus prefers full to partial sun. It is adaptable and hardy and works in most types of soil, so long as it has good drainage. Avoid over-watering your Sweet William as it can rot away delicate roots. It will need adequate airflow to thrive. 

You should prune back your Purple Barbarini™ Dianthus after it has finished blooming to help it grow stronger the following year. You may need to apply a broad spectrum fungicide to avoid crown and root rot. 

Purple Barbarini™ Dianthus Spacing

Purple Barbarini™ Dianthus works beautifully in containers and pots of all kinds. They are ideal for rock gardens and edging borders. They should be spaced 6 to 12 inches apart when planting and look especially beautiful in the front of gardens.