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More Details

An exceptional Sweet William which behaves like a perennial at Perch Hill, now flowering for it’s third year with excellent tall, straight stems.

Genus Dianthus
Group/Species barbatus
Variety Electron Mix
Type Biennial or Short-lived Perennial
Common Name Sweet William
Border Position Cutting Garden
Soil Type Neutral - Alkaline
Scent Scented
Site Full Sun
Moisture Well-drained
Height 60cm (24in)
Spacing 30cm (12in)
Sowing, Seeds, Planting Sow May-July for flowers the following year. Sow under cover into seed trays, modules or pots and place in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. Transplant in early autumn or the following spring to their final growing position. Sow direct into well-prepared soil and thin to 30cm (12in)
Care Tips Water once a week and mulch once established to keep the soil moist. A balanced liquid feed every couple of months will encourage more blooms. Cut flowers for the vase or deadhead regularly.
Flowering June - August
Vase Life Lasts up to 2 weeks in water.
Harvesting Flower production 3 months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors
  • Direct Sow/Plant Outdoors
  • Flowers/Harvest
Advice & Videos
Gardening at home with Sarah | May Colour

Join Sarah at Perch Hill as she shares her favourite May flowering varieties for the vase.

How to get summer colours in an autumn garden

For an abundant autumn, plant smart and you’ll be enjoying beautiful flowers for months.

Tutti-frutti kulfi recipe

One of my favourite puddings – a healthy, non dairy ice-cream. You can cut the calories ever further by using light coconut milk.

Sowing biennials for next year

July is the time to sow hard-working, colourful biennial flowers for next year's garden.  In this article Sarah shows you how.

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Delivery

Plant Delivery - When in stock, please allow up to 3-4 weeks for despatch. For fruit & veg bare roots/crowns, please allow up to 2 weeks for despatch.

Seeds Delivery - When in stock, please allow up to 5 days for despatch.

Click here to find out more information about our delivery rates and times.

Dianthus barbatus 'Electron Mix' reviews

* * * * * Average based on 8 reviews

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Joanne

Very strong seedlings, not one seed failing to germinate on an early sowing. Grew on quickly and are strong and bushy. Planted out and look like they will flower by late summer. Have sown more at the traditional biennial time which will be planted out in autumn. Can't beat them for cut flowers in abundance.

Garden splendour

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Reviewed 30th October 2018 by Gloria.Seviour

I have planted many bulbs in anticipation of glorious colour in the spring...My bulbs all came beautifully packaged and with clear instruction how to plant etc.....Ive chosen the Sara Raven recommended .... .My colour scheme will be blues whites and magenta to maroon Tulips.....Heres hoping!!

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Reviewed 23rd September 2018 by Sandra

Looking forward to these flowering next year

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Reviewed 19th September 2018 by Alan

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Reviewed 19th September 2018 by Alison

Seedlings grew into reasonable sized plants but have not flowered.

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Reviewed 19th September 2018 by Jen

They look healthy enough but not one has flowered this year - maybe the summer was too hot. I did water!!

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Reviewed 19th September 2018 by Samantha

Growing really well making good plants to flower next spring.

Excellent

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Reviewed 8th November 2016 by Betty Fenton

As usual the plants arrived excellently packed on the expected date. They are now all planted out and look very healthy. Sarah Raven is a splendid supplier that I will definitely be using again.

Read more reviews