Dianthus Sweet William: A Colorful Addition to Your Garden

Dianthus Sweet William is a popular ornamental plant native to southern Europe and some regions of Asia. It’s an herbaceous biennial that can grow up to 3 feet tall, but in some areas, it may be a short-lived perennial instead. 

The Stunning Flowers Of Dianthus Sweet William

Prized for its beautiful flowers, it produces a dense cluster of blooms at the top of its stems—up to 30 in one cluster. The flowers are small, only about 2-3 cm in diameter, and consist of five petals with serrated edges. In the wild, the flowers are a gorgeous combination of red and white. Cultivars can be white, pink, red, purple, or variegated. The flowers have a spicy scent similar to that of cloves. 

Exactly how the Dianthus Sweet William plant acquired the common name is unknown. Legend has it that the flower was named to honor Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, after his victory at the Battle of Culloden in the 18th century. But, of course, this can’t be verified. It’s also rumored to be named after William the Conqueror or Saint William of York.  

No matter where it got its name, the tulip is a beloved flower among the United States and U.K. gardeners. It makes a beautiful addition to a butterfly, pollinator, or landscape area where you want to attract butterflies, bees, and birds. The cut flowers make beautiful bouquets and are often used in bridal bouquets. 

The Beauty and Benefits of Dianthus Sweet William for Your Landscape

Dianthus Sweet William prefers to be planted in full sun to partial shade in an area with slightly alkaline, loamy, and well-drained soil. Seeds can be directly planted in the garden or indoors for later transplanting. Deadheading will encourage more flowers. This plant doesn’t need a lot of care. Keep it watered, mulched, and fertilized, and it will thrive in almost any garden.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Planting bare-root perennials is best in any season if they are dormant; we only sell dormant plants. Planting them year-round is also excellent if you can get dormant perennials. When your bare-root perennials arrive, soak the roots in water for a few hours to rehydrate them. Lant by digging a hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably and deep enough to place the top portion crown (where the roots meet the stem) at or slightly above ground level. Position the plant in the hole, backfill with native soil, and gently firm the soil around the roots—water well after planting to settle the soil around the plant and eliminate air. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to keep weeds at bay and moisture locked in, keeping the mulch away from the crown. Irrigate plants regularly during the first few weeks of drought; never water in full sun, and water late in the evenings to ensure the roots are established well. Fertilize sparingly in the first year, using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in subsequent years as needed.

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