In the landscape
Border · Mass planting · Meadow · Patio · Rock wall · Slope · Small space · Walkway
Data sources
Sweet William
Dianthus barbatus · Perennial
Sweet William is a moderate-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 3-9, that matures to about 1–2 ft × 6–12 in. It does best in full sun and part shade with medium water needs in well-drained and moist soil. Expect pink, purple and red blooms in spring. It attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, stands up well to deer, heat and humidity and grows happily in containers.
- USDA zones
- 3-9
- Sun
- Full sun, Part shade
- Water
- Medium
- Mature size
- 1–2 ft × 6–12 in
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Maintenance
- Medium
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist
- Bloom color
- Pink, Purple, Red, Variegated, White
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths, Songbirds
- Tough against
- Deer, Heat, Humidity, Rabbits
- Toxic to
- People
- Native to
- Western Asia, eastern Europe, Korea
Will it survive your winters?
We score Sweet William’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.
Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.
More plants for your zone: Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9
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