You have plenty of choice when it comes to choosing flowers to highlight borders, establish a colorful garden plot, or add a few container-grown varieties to a back deck. However, Sweet Williams are popular among both novice and experienced gardeners for their appearance and easy maintenance.

Sweet William is one of the most common types of dianthus, and the plant's botanical name is Dianthus barbatus. The National Gardening Association says this type of plant is known for flowers with notched petals and a spicy fragrance.

The showy flowers come in colors such as red, white, purple, and pink. The Missouri Botanical Garden says Sweet Williams tend to have a height and spread of less than one foot, but the Washington State University Clark County Extension says they can grow up to two feet tall. The flowers are attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds.

The plant is suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture zones three through nine. Connecticut falls right into the middle of this range, with most parts of the state classified as zone five or six.

Sweet William will grow well in a site with full sunlight. However, they can also tolerate partially shaded areas.

The plant grows best in well-drained soil which has been amended with compost. The National Gardening Association says the pH level should be neutral or slightly alkaline. You should not start growing the plant until the soil temperature reaches 60 degrees.

Seeds can be started indoors in containers, about six to eight weeks before the last spring frost. M.H. Dyer, writing for SFGate, says you can also sow seeds directly into the garden at a depth of about one-eighth of an inch.

If you are transplanting a seedling to a garden plot, wait until the first true set of leaves appears after the initial germination leaves. Dig a hole that's twice as wide as the diameter of the container. Then carefully move the root ball into this hole and fill the soil back in. Space plants about six to 12 inches apart.

When first starting the plant, water it gently to ensure that the seeds are not washed away. Watering once a week with an inch of water should provide Sweet William with enough moisture for healthy growth.

You might consider adding some fertilizer during the plant's growth to assist with the blooms. Dyer says you can add one teaspoon of general purpose fertilizer for every square foot of growing space. This fertilizer will be most beneficial when applied in the late spring and early summer.

Sweet William is considered an herbaceous perennial, and is often grown as a biennial. The latter plants will take two years to complete their growing cycle. Sweet William will readily self-seed once it is established and come back every spring.

To encourage the plant to grow as a perennial, remove flowers once they fade. Jenny Harrington, also writing for SFGate, says you should also remove the swollen portion at the base of the flower. This process will keep seeds from forming and allow the plant's energy to be directed toward flower production.

Sweet William should be divided every two or three years. The National Gardening Association says the plant should be cut down to a height of one or two inches after the first hard frost in the autumn.

These plants are generally not susceptible to disease or pests. The Missouri Botanical Garden says Sweet William won't tolerate poorly drained soil and can develop rust or crown rot if conditions are too soggy. You'll also want to look out for slugs and snails if you are growing the plant in a shady area.