sweet william

I've been shredding leaves all week. I pile them in a temp bed out front , then shred. Every 4 bagsful I load up and take to the backyard pile. Each trip takes me past a clump of Sweet Williams, Dianthus barbatus. I've purchased them for our MG cottage garden over the years, but had never grown them until this past spring I picked up some seed. They grew easily from seed but I got a bit anxious waiting for the flowers so I bought a quart already in bloom. I planted them just across from my backdoor and they have bloomed all season long. They are still blooming - not just the last few flowers of the season, but vibrant, full, and a multitude of magenta blooms.
I've always thought they were biennials, generously self-sowing biennials, but have also read of them being perennial. Does anyone esle grow these handsome little plants? (can't call a William, "beautiful", can I?) What's your experience?
I sold off several pots of my seed grown plants, but did keep one pot. They are pink. Much smaller leaves and flowers. Will they be bigger next year? 

Kitty
neIN, Zone 5 
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