Dianthus x barbatus Rockin'™ Purple' – Rockin'™ Purple' Sweet William

The Rockin'™ Purple Sweet William continues its series' tradition of excellence with a rich, deep colour. This hybrid Dianthus stands out with its clusters of intense, velvety purple flowers that bring a touch of nobility and depth to borders. It combines a long-lasting summer bloom with great ease of cultivation.

Characteristics

• Foliage: The plant forms a low, dense clump of foliage, composed of fine, linear, rich green leaves.
• Flowering: From late spring to late summer, it produces tall stems topped with large, rounded clusters. Each cluster is composed of a multitude of small, finely fringed, rich and brilliant purple flowers that release a light fragrance.
• Light: It demands full sun for optimal performance and flowering.
• Habit: It forms a mounded clump of foliage from which straight, sturdy flower stems rise.
• Growth: With a medium growth rate, it reaches a height of 45 to 60 cm (18-24 inches) in bloom, with a spread of 25 to 35 cm (10-14 inches).
• Moisture: It prefers average moisture conditions.
• Soil: It thrives only in very well-drained soil. It prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
• Hardiness: Its hardiness is rated for Zone 5, but its winter survival depends much more on the quality of drainage than on the cold. In many cold-climate gardens, it behaves as an annual or a very short-lived perennial.
• Resistance: It demonstrates good resistance to deer.

Uses

• Types of Use: It is a plant of choice for the front or middle of beds and borders. It is spectacular in mass plantings and performs very well in containers.
• Ornamental Features: Its deep purple colour creates a rich and sophisticated visual impact, offering a beautiful alternative to more traditional colours. It is also an excellent cut flower.

Care

• Watering: Water when the soil is dry to the touch, avoiding excess water. Good drainage is essential.
• Fertilizing: It is not very demanding. A spring application of compost or a balanced fertilizer is sufficient.
• Pruning: Regularly remove faded flower clusters to encourage the plant to continuously produce new flower stems. It is preferable to cut the foliage back to the ground in the spring rather than the fall.
• Planting: Plant it in the spring in a very sunny location, in soil that does not retain water, especially in winter.
• Winter Protection: The best protection is excellent drainage. Avoid locations where water accumulates in winter and do not apply a heavy organic mulch at its base.