Originally native to southern Europe, sweet william is a short-lived perennial which is commonly treated as an annual or biennial. Beloved for its bright clusters of lightly scented flowers borne in summer, this old fashioned favorite self-sows readily to form charming colonies, ensuring its long-lived presence in the garden. Much hybridization has occurred to broaden the range of flower and leaf colors of sweet william, as well as to intensify its fragrance.

Typically blooming in the second...

(Carnation)

The presumed parent of the familiar florist's carnation, this tender herbaceous perennial from the Mediterranean region bears starry, purple-pink flowers in late spring and summer. The fringed, clove-scented, five-petaled blooms are clustered on tall jointed stems above evergreen tufts of linear, grass-like, blue-green leaves.

Famous for their large, colorful, and often fragrant double flowers, florist's carnations result from centuries of breeding of Dianthus caryophyllus. The large...

(Carnation, Chabaud Giant Model Mix Carnation)

The presumed parent of the familiar florist's carnation, this tender herbaceous perennial from the Mediterranean region bears starry, purple-pink flowers in late spring and summer. The fringed, clove-scented, five-petaled blooms are clustered on tall jointed stems above evergreen tufts of linear, grass-like, blue-green leaves.

Famous for their large, colorful, and often fragrant double flowers, florist's carnations result from centuries of breeding of Dianthus caryophyllus. The large...

(Carnation, Cinnamon Red Hots Carnation)

Border carnations are herbaceous perennials that trace their ancestry to the Mediterranean native Dianthus caryophyllus. The compact-growing cultivar 'Cinnamon Red Hots' bears fragrant, double red flowers from late spring through summer. They rise on sturdy stems from evergreen mounds of linear, grasslike, blue-green foliage.

This showy perennial does best in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil and full sun, but appreciates some shade in hot climates. It flowers most prolifically...

(Carnation, Floristan Mix Carnation)

The large colorful blooms of Floristan carnations are borne on tall, stout, flop-resistant stems. These seed-propagated carnations were developed for commercial growers but also work well in ornamental and cutting gardens.

Famous for their large, colorful, and often fragrant double flowers, florist's carnations result from centuries of breeding of the Mediterranean native Dianthus caryophyllus. The flowers are held on tall jointed stems above evergreen tufts of linear, grass-like, blue-green...

(Carnation, Floristan Salmon Pink Carnation)

The large colorful blooms of Floristan carnations are borne on tall, stout, flop-resistant stems. These seed-propagated carnations were developed for commercial growers but also work well in ornamental and cutting gardens.

Famous for their large, colorful, and often fragrant double flowers, florist's carnations result from centuries of breeding of the Mediterranean native Dianthus caryophyllus. The flowers are held on tall jointed stems above evergreen tufts of linear, grass-like, blue-green...

(Carnation, Floristan Scarlet Carnation)

The large colorful blooms of Floristan carnations are borne on tall, stout, flop-resistant stems. These seed-propagated carnations were developed for commercial growers but also work well in ornamental and cutting gardens.

Famous for their large, colorful, and often fragrant double flowers, florist's carnations result from centuries of breeding of the Mediterranean native Dianthus caryophyllus. The flowers are held on tall jointed stems above evergreen tufts of linear, grass-like, blue-green...

(Carnation, Floristan White Carnation)

The large white blooms of this florist's carnation are borne on tall, stout, flop-resistant stems. This seed-propagated cultivar was developed for commercial growers but also works well in ornamental and cutting gardens.

Famous for their large, colorful, and often fragrant double flowers, florist's carnations result from centuries of breeding of the Mediterranean native Dianthus caryophyllus. The flowers are held on tall jointed stems above evergreen tufts of linear, grass-like, blue-green...

(Carnation, Floristan Yellow Carnation)

The large colorful blooms of Floristan carnations are borne on tall, stout, flop-resistant stems. These seed-propagated carnations were developed for commercial growers but also work well in ornamental and cutting gardens.

Famous for their large, colorful, and often fragrant double flowers, florist's carnations result from centuries of breeding of the Mediterranean native Dianthus caryophyllus. The flowers are held on tall jointed stems above evergreen tufts of linear, grass-like, blue-green...

(Carnation, Grenadin King of the Blacks Carnation)

Plush as velvet, the double, fringed flowers of 'Grenadin King of the Blacks' are among the darkest to be found among border pinks. A member of the compact-growing Grenadin Series, its showy, clove-scented blossoms rise on slender stems above clumps of linear, grasslike, blue-green leaves. They bloom from late spring through midsummer, and may attract bees and butterflies.

Long valued for their colorful, sweetly fragrant flowers, border pinks are descended from an evergreen species native...