How to grow Sweet William (Auricula-Eyed Mixed)

Dianthus barbatus

🌸 Flower 🌱 Grown each year

Dense, clove-scented flower heads in bright patterns — an old cottage-garden favourite for cutting.

At a glance: Sow mid May to late June.

When to sow, plant and harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sow indoors

Plant

Flowers

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Mid May – late June · 4 weeks after the last spring frost
Sow Seeds
Sow thinly in trays or pots of seed compost, outdoors in a shady spot or in a cold frame.
10–21 days after “Sow Seeds” · Late May – early June
Check Germination
Seedlings appear in 10–21 days. Keep the compost moist.
14–28 days after “Check Germination” · Early June – late June
Pot On Seedlings
Move seedlings into their own 9 cm pots and grow them on through the summer.
Early September – early October · 6 weeks before the first autumn frost
Plant Out for Next Year
Plant into their flowering positions 25 cm apart. They make leaves this year and flower next June–July.
270–300 days after “Plant Out for Next Year” · Early June – early July
Flowering — Enjoy and Deadhead
Your plants should flower around June–July. Remove faded spikes to encourage more, or leave some to self-seed.
45–75 days after “Flowering — Enjoy and Deadhead” · Mid July – mid August
Clear or Let Self-Seed
After flowering, pull out spent plants — or leave a few to drop seed for next year.