Sweet William 'Indian Carpet' Seeds

Dianthus barbatus 'Indian Carpet' is a Hardy Biennial (H6). It follows the classic two-year life cycle: sown in summer, it spends its first winter as a low-growing evergreen mound before exploding into a colourful carpet of fringed blooms the following May.

Dwarf Advantage: While standard Sweet Williams can be tall and floppy, 'Indian Carpet' stays neat and compact (15-25cm). This makes it highly resistant to wind damage and perfect for exposed UK gardens where taller varieties might require staking.

Wildlife Champion: Listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, it is a particular favourite for butterflies. Its flat, clustered flower heads provide an easy-access platform for them to feed on the nectar-rich blooms.

Sweet Williams are robust and remarkably easy to grow, though they demand light to trigger germination.

How to Sow:
Sow outdoors in a nursery bed or modules from May to July. Scatter seeds thinly on the surface of moist compost—do not cover the seeds as they require light to germinate. Simply press them firmly into the surface. Seedlings typically appear in just 7-14 days.

Where to Plant:
Plant out in September or October for flowers the following spring. They prefer full sun (though they tolerate light shade) and thrive in well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. If you have heavy clay, add grit to ensure the roots do not sit in water over the winter.

Ongoing Care:
Once established, they are very low-maintenance. Water during dry spells in their first summer. Deadhead spent flower clusters to encourage a secondary, later flush of colour. If allowed to set seed, they will often self-sow, providing a permanent colony in your borders.

The compact mound of 'Indian Carpet' makes it the perfect "skirt" for mid-border stars from our range :

• 🌸 Viola 'Large Flower Mix': The Low-Level Layer. Planting Violas amongst your Sweet Williams creates a tapestry of "faces" and rings. They share a similar love for cool UK spring soil and both provide edible petals for your kitchen.
• ❄️ Forget-me-not 'Victoria Mixed': The Frothy Duo. The azure blue and soft pink of Forget-me-nots weave through the dense domes of 'Indian Carpet', creating a soft, romantic look typical of a traditional Norfolk cottage garden.

Sow in summer for a colourful carpet from May to July the following year.