Sweet William
Sweet William: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus, is an ornamental plant in the Caryophyllaceae family. A biennial or short-lived perennial, it is best known for compact clusters of colourful flowers at the tops of its stems. It belongs to the same genus as other pinks and carnations, but its closely packed flower heads give it a recognisable character in a flower garden. Numerous selections offer different growth habits and colours.The green foliage initially forms a rosette close to the ground. Leaves are simple and elongated, with pairs arranged along stems whose nodes are clearly marked. Upright flowering stems carry dense heads made up of many individual flowers. The contrast between a relatively low leafy base and the raised flower clusters is part of the plant’s appeal. Height depends on the selection: compact forms and taller forms do not have the same proportions.The flowers have petals with toothed or fringed edges, often surrounding a…
