Dianthus barbatus Gigas Mix - Sweet William

The Dianthus barbatus Gigas Mix is a selection of sweet williams particularly suited for cut flowers. On tall plants very large blooms appear in various colours, solid or two-tone, in a palette of bright tones including pure white. They bloom for two months if one takes care to remove faded flowers, at the same time bringing lightness to mass plantings of heavier perennials. Sweet Williams are generally biennial, but behave as an ephemeral perennial in mild climates. It is easily grown in open ground or even in pots, in fresh, rich, well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Dianthus barbatus is a plant from the Caryophyllaceae family found in many temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Not very perennial because not very hardy, it is most often considered biennial, flowering the second year after sowing. In the first year the plant forms a very dense basal tuft of long pointed leaves, light green to glaucous. The flowering of the 'Gigas Mix' selection occurs in spring, from May to June, and lasts until July-August. Its very large flowers gathered in hemispherical clusters are carried at the end of thin and strong stems of 80 cm (32in) in height. Depending on the plants, the colour of the flowers will be pure white, vibrant pink, geranium red, mahogany red, or purple bordered with white. They have excellent vase life and their perfume is both spicy and sweet, reminiscent of cloves and cinnamon.

Gigas Mix Sweet Williams are easy-to-grow plants that requir minimal maintenance once well established. Like bellflowers and columbines, these plants have a place in all gardens and in all bouquets, imbuing them with poetry and mystery. Choose a location with regular footfall, for example alongside a path or near an entrance, to fully enjoy the sweetness of the plant's fragrance. In a flowerbed, plant sweet williams en mass to create beautiful splashes of colour, and let them also grab a spot in the vegetable garden where they can supply cut flowers for bouquets. They can also be grown in pots on the terrace or balcony, with good drainage and occasional fertilizer applications, and stakes for the taller ones.

Note: Please be aware that our plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before being installed outdoors once the risk of frost has definitively passed.