Plant Highly Fragrant Dianthus In Containers For Spring Scents You Can Enjoy Nearly Anywhere

The magic of container gardening is that the containers can be placed anywhere you like. And if the pot is filled with sweet-smelling Dianthuses, you may be looking for extra places around your yard where these spring-blooming flowers can thrive. While the genus has many species, sweet William (Dianthus barbatus L.) is an old favorite.

Also known as carnations and pinks — because their blooms look like they were unevenly edged by pinking shears typically found in sewing boxes — Dianthuses were named by the ancient Greek botanist Theophrastus and have a long history. The fact that these flowers were named by an ancient Greek may make you wonder about their hardiness range. This perennial is fairly adaptable and hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9, so you can grow them outdoors (in containers or in the ground) in most parts of the contiguous United States. In climates colder than Zone 3, you can grow them as annuals or bring the containers indoors for the winter. 

To ensure your sweet William flowers thrive in containers, you'll want to provide them with the best growing conditions. Fortunately, they aren't too picky, but there are a few things you can do to enjoy their beautiful, fragrant blooms all season long. Being careful with soil, water, and sunlight requirements is all it takes, and it's easier than you might think.

Taking care of Dianthus flowers isn't difficult, but you will want to set the plant up for success by growing it in suitable soil conditions. Dianthus doesn't like soggy soil, so ensure that the growing medium that doesn't hold too much moisture. Once the plant has settled in, don't give it more water than necessary. Containers that allow you to water from the bottom rather than from the top will also help ensure you never overwater these plants. A little compost around the flowers will give them the nutrients they need to get off to a good start.

Dianthus is so fragrant you will want to put the containers where you can enjoy them the most, but you also have to be mindful of their need for sunlight. Sweet Williams are sun worshippers, preferring to get between two and six hours of direct sun every day. If enough sunlight happens to fall upon your patio or deck, huzzah! A place where you are likely to sit and enjoy your garden is also the perfect spot to revel in the fragrance of your Dianthuses. You might also want to line the garden path or other walkways with potted pinks. Likewise, give the delivery drivers a boost with the flowers' happy fragrance by placing a few pots on your porch. If there is a patch of sunlight somewhere around your home, Dianthus will happily bloom there in a pot.