Holborn Glory Sweet William is a classic heirloom cultivar of Dianthus barbatus that brings the charm of cottage gardens straight to your beds with its striking bicolor blooms spanning spring through summer. Hardy to zone 3, this upright variety reaches 18 to 24 inches tall and produces the densely clustered, fragrant flower heads that have made Sweet William a garden treasure for centuries. Thriving in full sun with moderate water and naturally resistant to deer, it rewards gardeners with season-long color while asking very little in return.
8
Full Sun
Moderate
3-3
24in H x 12in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
Holborn Glory blooms from March through August in a range of bicolor combinations that feel hand-painted against the dark green foliage. The flowers attract pollinators generously while shrugging off deer pressure and managing on moderate water, making it as reliable as it is beautiful. Space plants just 8 inches apart to fill beds quickly, and watch for the architectural elegance of those dense flower clusters that define the species' distinctive appeal.
Holborn Glory Sweet William serves as a cut flower, bringing long-lasting color and subtle fragrance indoors for arrangements. It is grown as a flowering ornamental for borders, cottage garden settings, and mixed beds where its tall, upright habit and extended bloom season provide reliable structure and color.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Maintain a soil temperature of 65 to 70°F until germination occurs in 7 to 14 days, then reduce the temperature to 55 to 65°F. This cooler post-germination temperature helps establish stocky, healthy seedlings.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date has passed, spacing them 8 inches apart. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days before planting to acclimate them to outdoor conditions.
Direct sow seeds in spring to mid-summer for blooms the following year. Press seeds into the soil surface or barely cover them, as they require light for germination.
Deadhead spent flower clusters regularly throughout the bloom season to encourage additional flowering and extend the display from spring through summer.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.