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

The Rockin'™ Red Sweet William is a modern and explosive version of the classic grandmother's garden flower. This hybrid Dianthus stands out with its incredibly vibrant, cherry-red flower clusters and its ability to bloom all summer. It brings a touch of energy and intense colour to borders, all while being very easy to grow.

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, brilliant cherry-red 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 pure red flowers create a powerful visual impact and a lasting touch of bright colour in the garden. They are also excellent cut flowers for summer bouquets.

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 and thus prolong the bloom. It is preferable to cut the foliage back to the ground in the spring rather than the fall, to provide better winter protection for the crown.
• 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.