To learn more about perennials, go to www.perennials.com. All plants need a good friable soil, compost or manure mixed in with a dash of bone meal per plant to promote root growth. Sunny location and water.

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials

I planted Dianthus (Sweet William Sooty) several years go thinking they would be annuals only as well. They came back each year. Lost a couple bunches to the drought last year, fortunately a couple more clumps have turned nice and green this year. I have them planted in a garden that gets lots of sun, good (amended) soil that drains well. They are pretty tough, but you do have to water if it doesn't rain regularly. Sooty started blooming in early March last year, but so far this year, just the green clumps. I also planted some pinks last year and they are still alive, but so far haven't started perking up yet. Also in full sun, and I watered them occasionally last year as long as it was legal. Very pretty plants both of them.

Thanks for your replies. I am going to move them to a sunnier spot and hope for the best.

I think things may be a little late this year. Maybe they are afraid of another late freeze (wink).

In a sunny window box I have multi-coloured dianthus in full bloom right now. I got tired of pansies in the winter and begonias in the summer there. Not to mention the work of changing the The boxes twice a year. They do not like to be too dry.

Update: Two of the five clumps are blooming beautifully. So pretty and petite! I'm a new fan of this little survivor.