Species sweet William
ruby-white flowers with white stamens, pink center, lime leaves, buds and yellow-green stems

sweet William

Dianthus barbatus

Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) is an amazing plant species that is sure to bring beauty to any garden. It is a fragrant short-lived perennial that is native to Europe and grows in a variety of colors. The flowers of this species have a unique shape, with frilly petals and a slight clove-like scent that adds a delightful surprise to the garden. They are also very hardy and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Sweet William makes an excellent cut flower and is a brilliant addition to any garden, providing essential nutrients to the soil and attracting beneficial insects. Its long blooming season makes it an incredibly versatile and colorful addition to your landscape.

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.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Sweet William typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Sweet William typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map