Red Barbarini™ Dianthus

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6-11 Inches

Mature Spread

6-18 Inches

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Sweet WIlliam is an expected plant in the spring cottage Garden. The sweet smell of the blooms mixed with the greenness of spring is not ever forgotten. Red Barbarini™ is a Dianthus that produces even more blooms than older varieties. The vigorous, but compact, growth makes this Sweet William a natural for use as edging a garden bed or planting in containers as part of a mixed seasonal display.

The dramatically red velvety blooms offset the lush green foliage. Sweet William attracts the early native bees and hummingbirds by the dozens. Deer and rabbits are repelled by the strong scent. Red Barbarini™ makes a great cut flower and a sweet addition to a small posey bunch.

Red Barbarini Dianthus Care

The soil pH is not important to dianthus. Acid, neutral or alkaline all work fine. Watering should be regular. Sweet William likes moist, well drained soil. Full sun to part shade is the ideal location to keep the blooms going.

Maintenance is very minimal. Fertilizing should be done early in the spring as the new growth emerges. A slow release, well balanced fertilizer supports both foliage and blooms. When the blooms are finished early in the summer, the whole plant can be cut back to 6 inches tall and mulch well.

Red Barbarini Dianthus Spacing

Red Barbarini Sweet William is a very low grower, but fills in a space wonderfully, Height of 4-8 inches and a width of 8-12 inches. Spacing of these plants when used as an edger should be at 10 inches on center. If planted into a container, they can be placed much closer at 6 inches on center. Dianthus is a quick spreader and does well with dividing and replanting every 2-3 years.