Dart™ Scarlet Dianthus

Dart™ Scarlet is a compact Sweet William with scarlet flower clusters on upright stems. PanAmerican Seed identifies this Dianthus barbatus selection as PAS1514681 and lists a mature size of 6–12 inches high by 6–8 inches wide. ## Garden use The vivid flowers fit a border edge, seasonal container or cut-flower planting. Ball describes the Dart series as compact, suitable for a range of pot sizes and able to perform in cooler garden conditions without staking in beds. Sweet William is a biennial or short-lived perennial often managed as an annual, which makes it useful for planned seasonal color. [PanAmerican Seed](https://www.panamseed.com/Products/022509905004940/dianthus-dart-scarlet/) · [Ball Seed](https://info.ballseed.com/PlantInfo/?phid=022509905004940) ## Growing conditions Plant in sun and use loamy or sandy soil with good drainage. Avoid soil that stays wet around the crown. The supplier lists broad flowering windows from early spring through late summer and autumn, and notes that Scarlet flowers about one week later than other Dart colors. Garden bloom timing still depends on local climate and planting schedule. [RHS](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/105495/dianthus-barbatus/details) · [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/dianthus-barbatus/common-name/sweet-william/) ## Maintenance Keep watering moderate and deadhead spent heads when a tidier display or fewer seedlings are wanted. The compact Dart habit usually needs no staking in a garden bed.