Sweet-William flowers picture.

Sweet William 
Dianthus barbatus (Caryophyllaceae)

A perennial variety which usually performs as an annual. Native to Europe, it has escaped cultivation and adapted to all regions of the United States. The brilliant little flowers have fringed petals of red, pink, purple or violet. An ideal spring flower often blooming 60 to 90 days after planting under ideal environmental conditions. Prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun. In areas having extremely hot summers, plant in partial shade for best results.

Average planting success with this species: 70%
Height: 12-18 inches
Germination: 14-30 days
Optimum soil temperature for germination: 60F-70F
Sowing depth: 1/16"
Blooming period: April-September
Average seeds per pound: 437,000
Seeds/Pkt: 650
Seeding rate: 6 lbs. per acre
1 oz Covers: 454 sq. ft.
Suggested use: Borders, mass plantings, meadows.
Miscellaneous: Very sweetly scented. Makes a nice cut flower with a vase life of 7 to 10 days.

Ixia flowers pictures.

Origin: South Africa

Flower colour: various colours

Flowering period: June - August

Average plant height: 30 - 45 cm

Planting depth to base of bulbs:7 cm

Spacing between bulbs: 7 cm

Type of bulb: corm

Light requirements: any location is suitable in the full sun (PM sun)

Landscape uses: border, beds and perennial gardens and in pots. Excellent as a cut flower.

Ixia has sword-shaped leaves, long stems with star-shaped flowers. There are 30 - 40 original Ixia species.

Principal varieties
'Panorama' - white with purple red
'Rose Emperor' - soft pink
'Spotlight' - yellow-red
'Titia' - fuchsia-red
'Venus' - magenta-red
'Giant' - ivory white tips with a dark centre
'Hogarth' - cream coloured with a red-purple centre
'Marquette' - sulphur yellow tips with purple black centre
'Vulcan' - orange-red