Dianthus

 DIANTHUS including sweet William, carnations and pinks. They are generally grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4 to 9, 

Dianthus flowers grow best when planted in full sun to partial shade. If you live in a climate with hot, humid summers, the flowers will perform best with afternoon shade.

When they bloom: Late spring to early summer

These sturdy perennials come in every shade of the rainbow! They work well as a ground cover, planted in rock gardens, or placed at the front of a mixed border.

Dianthus can be propagated from seeds started indoors, directly sown into the garden, or grown from stem cuttings. To plant from seed, begin indoors 2-8 weeks prior to the last frost for your area. Plant in a light, loamy soil mix, sprinkling seeds over the top, and then covering with a light layer of soil.