Jolt Cherry Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus 'Pas970054' JOLT CHERRY)
dy-ANN-thus bar-BAT-us 'Pas970054' JOLT CHERRY

Deciduous Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) Upright, Mounding in the Caryophyllaceae Family
A heat-tolerant Sweet William with electrifying cherry-red flowers that bloom non-stop from spring through fall, without setting seed.

'Jolt Cherry' is part of the Jolt series of interspecific Sweet Williams, bred for outstanding heat tolerance and a long, uninterrupted bloom season. Its vivid cherry-red flowers age to pink with a darker red eye, creating a two-tone effect as blooms mature, covering an upright, rapidly growing plant from spring through fall. Because the plant is bred not to set seed, it keeps producing new flowers all summer rather than slowing once seed pods would normally form.

Pros

  • Exceptional heat tolerance for a Dianthus, blooming strong through hot, humid summers
  • Long, continuous bloom season from spring to fall
  • Two-tone cherry-red-to-pink flowers add visual interest as they age
  • Deer and rabbit resistant

Cons

  • Usually grown as an annual outside Zone 7 and warmer; not reliably winter hardy in colder climates
  • Susceptible to rust, aphids, and slugs
  • Needs full sun and well-drained soil to perform its best
This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
Highlights
  • All-America Selections winner (as part of the Jolt series' AAS-honored introduction)
  • Bred to flower continuously without setting seed
  • Flowers shift from cherry-red to pink as they age, giving a two-tone look
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 16 - 20 inches tall. 12 - 14 inches wide.
Growth Rate Fast
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium :

Prefers consistent moisture with good drainage; tolerates brief dry spells once established but should not be allowed to dry out completely, especially in containers.
Zones 7a - 11b (Usually hardy to 0° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edging, Extended Bloom Time, Fall Annuals, Filler, Formal Garden, Fragrant, Fragrant Flowers, Full Sun, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rock Garden, Low Maintenance, Medium, Medium, Mounded, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Reblooms, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Salt, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Winter Interest
Bloom Period May To Frost
Flower Color Cherry Red, Aging To Pink With A Darker Red Eye

Commonly Planted with...

  • Sun-loving perennials like Salvia and perennial Verbena for a hot-color summer display
  • Annuals such as Angelonia, Calibrachoa, and Petunias to keep color going until first frost
  • Coral Bells for contrasting foliage texture in containers

Photos of This with...

Cramer's Burgundy Cockscomb, Sun Cherry Zinnia, Zinderella Lilac Zinnia
 
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/13 - 10/04
2024 : 08/15 - 10/05
2023 : 08/16 - 09/30

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!