Dianthus Sweet William

Dianthus Sweet William is a popular ornamental plant aboriginal to southern Europe and some regions of Asia. It’s an herbaceous biennial that can grow up to 3 feet tall. In some areas, the plant 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 the scent of cloves.

It’s unknown exactly how the plant acquired the common name. 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.

This Perennial Is A Great Addition To Any Landscape

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

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Dianthus Sweet William prefers to be planted in full sun to partial shade, in an area with slightly alkaline, loamy and well-drained soil. Seed directly into 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.

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