Sweet williams are biennial, so they go green this spring/summer and then next year they flower. I'd throw some seeds in a pot or directly where you want them to grow next year.

I sowed Dianthus barbatus last Spring and it is blooming now. Not quite full bloom but starting to look very pretty. All mixed colors of pink, white, crimson, doubles, and bicolor. It makes fairly compact clumps of foliage the first year, then really filled out and shot up this year.

I love it and plan to sow it every year. I've already sown some this Spring, although the seedlings aren't doing that great. I don't think it's too late to sow some now at all!

My favorite color combination is red and pink - so sweet william seems the perfect match. I'm getting ready to order some seeds - any suggestions? Also, I live in the warm part of the San Francisco Bay area - should I plant the seeds now, sow inside for spring planting, or just wait until spring and direct sow? I've had pretty good luck with other flower seeds - but these will be new to me.