sweet William
Dianthus barbatus
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 9
Flowers:
Red, pink, white, and bicolors Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,gray,gray
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
watering
Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) prefers moist soil with good drainage and should be watered regularly during the growing season (mid-spring to late summer). Water deeply about once a week, or when the top inch or 2 of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid over-watering and make sure the soil has time to dry out between waterings. During the winter, water sparingly, only if the soil is dry.
sunlight
Sweet William requires full sun for best growth, but can tolerate light shade to part shade. The plant should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth. If possible, Sweet William should receive full sun in the morning and afternoon, with a break in the late afternoon to provide a chance to cool off. In hotter climates, some protection should be provided or the plant will become stressed or may even succumb to heat damage.
pruning
Pruning sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) is best done in spring, after the risk of frost has passed when new growth is just beginning to emerge. Pruning should consist of cutting back the top growth of each plant to approximately 5-8 cm. This will encourage the plant to form more compact, bushy growth and will prevent legginess. Deadheading, or cutting off the spent blooms, can be done to encourage more blooms to form. It should also be done when foliage begins to look unkempt and overgrown. During the summer months, plants can be lightly pruned as desired, to maintain a neat shape. Avoid heavy pruning in summer, which may encourage vegetative growth and inhibit blooming.
