Dianthus Perennial FlowersWonderful Perennials to Plant with Roses
Dianthus Perennial Flowers, include sweet smelling Clove Pinks and Sweet Williams. They make great companions for roses. It's easy to see why these perennial flowers have been popular for centurys. They are easy to cultivate, have a delicious spicy fragrance, long life as cut flowers, and are just soo.. pretty.
Theres plenty to choose from, with over 300 or so species available. Pronounced (dye-an-thus), they are (Caryophyllaceae) (or) Pinks.
The majority of them form mounds or mats of grassy, gray-green to dark green foliage. Flowers vary form tiny (Pixies) to 2 inches across. They can be single, double, or semi-double, with fringed or toothed petals, they are either solid, or marked with a contrasting color. They come in shades of pink, red, white, or lavendars. From the greek Words (dios) meaning divine and (anthos) meaning flower The name describes them perfectly! How to grow Dianthus Perennial FlowersThese perennial flowers grow best in full sun to partial shade. They like a humus rich, sandy soil that is slightly alkaline. They Cannot tolerate poor drainage! They will not do well in soggy wet soil!To prolong bloom time, deadhead regulary. PropogationDianthus Perennial flowers are easy to grow from seed. Start seeds in late winter/early spring, plant outside in spring. It takes a year or so to get a nice size clump going, but once you do, they will happily return each year, bigger and better!UsesThey are fabulous in the rose garden! Because of their short size, they make perfect companions for in front of roses. The (pinks) colors, tend to blend with any of the roses also. Actually they go great in the front of any of your flower borders. Dianthus perennial flowers, also make nice edging plants. Cascading over walls, they are spectular.Dianthus - Pixie Star The Dianthus Pixie Star, Dianthus 'Pixie Star' (PPAF), has vibrant pink flowers with a dark red eye with evergreen grey-green foliage. This plant blooms from spring through Fall an will have lots of blooms if continually deadheaded. It is truly a great addition to any perennial garden and is a favorite as a border plant or in containers.
Dianthus - Strawberry Sorbet Dianthus - Cranberry Ice Dianthus - Fire Star Dianthus - Coconut Punch Dianthus - Sangria Splash Dianthus - Tiny Rubies Dianthus - Eastern Star Sweet WilliamsSweet William Dianthus Perennial Flowers grow to 18 inches tall and a foot wide. The dark green leaves and leafy stems bear tight 3 inch clusters of 1/2 inch flowers. Although typically a Biennial, they readily reseed to give you plants year after year. In warmer climates, it is a true perennial. Dianthus - Heart Attack
 
Heres some pictures of my Sweet William flowers from my garden. I must admit that they are a favorite flower of mine for many reasons. First, I simply love the colors. They appear in wonderful shades of reds, pinks, whites and bi-colors.
I like to take the small seedlings (they reseed readily), and place them where I want them to grow and flower Next year. I make sure I plant them in soil that I enrich with my
own compost.
You don't need to waite for it to be fully decomposed, I sometimes use the stuff that isn't quite (done) yet, but it will be by next year when the plant needs it.
Tip If you don't have any compost, use whatever organic matter you have (shredded leaves-run over the pile a few times with the lawnmower)- add some coffee grounds, a cut-up banana peel, any thing like potato peels, etc.
Mix this in with your garden soil, then add some bonemeal to the bottom of the planting hole and plant! 
During the growing season of that following year, I fertilize the sweet Williams a few times before flowering. They grow into large clumps, and flower for weeks! What ever (baby) plants reseed, I repeat the process all over, the following year.
To get started with these wonderful Biennials, you can purchase plants, or simply start them yourself from seeds. 
These "Cottage Garden" flowers, are ones that you would have found in your Grandmothers garden. They are an old favorite that shouldn't be overlooked. They are a perfect choice for a
Cottage garden design.
For a pretty bouquet, pick some and put in a vase with Blue Delphinium and
Peonies
which all bloom at the same time. And don't forget to mix in a few Roses!
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