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Dianthus barbatus - L.

Common Name Sweet William
Family Caryophyllaceae
USDA hardiness 4-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Meadows and woods[45].
Range S. Europe. An occasional garden escape in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Dianthus barbatus Sweet William


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Ram-Man
Dianthus barbatus Sweet William
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Ram-Man

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Late spring. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Dianthus barbatus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses:

The flowers have a mild flavour and are used as a garnish for vegetable and fruit salads, cakes, desserts, cold drinks etc[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Rock garden, Seashore, Specimen. Prefers a rich well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position, but succeeds in most soils including dry ones[1]. A very ornamental plant[1], its flowers are very attractive to butterflies and moths[17, 30]. The flowers have a strong clove-like scent[245]. Plants self-sow freely when grown in a suitable position[1]. Although the Sweet William is a perennial species, it is quite short-lived and degenerates after its second year. It is best treated as a biennial in the garden[200]. Special Features:Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers, Fragrant flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow May/June in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer or autumn[1]. The seed can also be sown thinly in an outdoor seedbed in late spring, the young plants being planted out in late spring or the autumn. Cuttings of half-ripe shoots, July in a frame[1]. Division in September[1]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Dianthus anatolicus Perennial0.4 5-9  LMHND01 
Dianthus caryophyllusCarnation, Clove Pink, Border CarnationPerennial1.0 6-8 SLMHNDM222
Dianthus chinensisChinese Pink, Rainbow pink, Annual Pink, China PinkPerennial0.7 5-8 MLMHNDM03 
Dianthus gratianopolitanusCheddar PinkPerennial0.3 3-7  LMHND003
Dianthus plumariusPink, Feathered pink, Cottage PinkPerennial0.4 4-9  LMHNDM10 
Dianthus superbusFringed PinkPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNDM23 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

45200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

John Bennett   Tue Jul 10 2007

My Sweet William are now producing seeds. Can I sow these now in the greenhouse for a flowering plant next year, or do they need ripening off first.

Alec Smith   Sun Aug 10 2008

Can you explain why no flowers are produced when all conditions are met. Watered ,fed plenty of growth, planted from seedlings in june

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