Dianthus barbatus
Among the most popular of all Dianthus species, sweet william (D. barbatus) is a favored ornamental with numerous cultivars and hybrids in a broad range of flower colors and plant sizes.
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The small, fringed flowers are massed in densely packed, flattened clusters atop tall stems and have a fragrance reminiscent of sweet cloves – although in the case of many hybrids, the scent has been bred out of them.
Flower colors are white and luscious shades of red, including burgundy, maroon, mauve, pink, and purple, and often handsomely patterned with contrasting edging and eyes.
Blooming in late spring and early summer, the bold colors are striking when massed in beds, borders, containers, and rockeries, or throughout butterfly, cottage, and cutting gardens.
Easily cultivated, they come in standard and dwarf forms with single or double flowers and are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, but deer stay away.
Plus, the tall-stemmed flowers are a knock-out in floral arrangements – particularly the long-lasting and perfumed heritage cultivars!
If your garden needs colorful, fragrant flowers with a long blooming season, join us now to read up on how to plant and grow sweet williams.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
What You’ll Learn
What Are Sweet Williams?
Sweet williams are cold-hardy, biennial or short-lived perennials with single or double flowers, in the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae.
Also known as bearded or bunch pinks, the flowers are fringed and bearded and the epithet “barbatus” refers to the barbed or beard-like growth at the petal base.
These popular ornamentals form thick, upright flower clusters known as umbels, of up to 30 blooms that rise atop tall stems, flowering in late spring and early summer.
Repeat blooming on a lighter scale is also common through the summer months, so long as spent flowers have been deadheaded.
The small, five-petaled flowers have dainty, serrated edges and appear in shades of pink, red, purple, and white with some variegated patterns. The thick foliage is a deep blue-green with narrow, grass-like leaves.
Individual flowers measure one-half to one inch in diameter and umbels grow three to five inches across. Plants reach a mature height of 24 to 36 inches with a spread of 12 inches, and dwarf varieties grow up to eight inches tall.
Carnations, ‘Firewitch’ pinks, and garden pinks are among the most fragrant of dianthus, and heritage strains of sweet william have the familiar spicy fragrance of cloves, but with less intensity.
However, many hybrids of D. barbatus have little or no scent, while others have been bred for a strong scent. If fragrance is important to you – or if you prefer non-perfumed flowers – check cultivar details carefully before purchasing.
Traditional sweet williams that are grown biennially or perennially require vernalization (winter cold) for flowering, but many hybrids do not and will flower readily in their first year.
Plants are generally hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9, though some cultivated hybrids can withstand the warmer temperatures of Zones 10 and 11 as well.
Cultivation and History
There are two varieties of D. barbatus, the European variety (D. barbatus var. barbatus), native to mountainous regions of southern Europe, and the Asian type (D. barbatus var. asiaticus), that originates in parts of China, Korea, and Russia.
The common name has been attributed to many well known historical Williams, from William the Conqueror to William Shakespeare, but the exact origin remains unknown.
Depictions of their cultivation can be found in ornamental building friezes in ancient Greece and Rome; and in the 16th century, they were planted in king Henry VIII’s new gardens at Hampton Court.
And did you know that a sweet william was used in the first recorded example of cross species plant hybridization?
In 1717, English nurseryman Thomas Fairchild developed ‘Fairchild’s Mule,’ a hybrid of D. caryophyllus and D. barbatus – the intentional cross-pollination of a sweet william with a carnation.
Seeds were brought by colonists to North America in the mid-17th century and were cultivated in the gardens of notables like Thomas Jefferson, who wrote about their flowering times and habits in his Garden Book in 1767.
Plus, the vividly colored, perfumed petals are edible, with a mild flavor, and make a pretty garnish for beverages, cakes, desserts, and salads.
Sweet williams attract bees, birds, and butterflies and is one of the few Dianthus species to be frequented by hummingbirds.
Propagation
Sweet williams are easily propagated from seed, by division, and via tip cuttings. Plants purchased from a nursery are typically one year old and will flower the same year they’re planted.
Indoor Seed Sowing
To start plants indoors, sow seeds six to eight weeks before your last expected frost date.
Sow in seed flats, celled trays, or individual peat pots filled with a moist, lightweight, porous potting soil or a seed starting mix that contains moisture-retentive materials like coconut coir, peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite.
Sprinkle seeds lightly on top of the soil and barely cover with one-eighth of an inch of soil.
Place in a location with bright, indirect light, and temperatures in a range of 65 to 75°F.
Germination occurs in seven to 14 days. Keep the potting medium evenly moist, but not waterlogged.
After seedlings have developed three or four true sets of leaves, they can be planted out into containers or the garden.
If seeds are sown early enough – several weeks before the last frost date – plants may flower in their first year.
Outdoor Seed Planting
To plant outdoors, prepare the soil by digging in a few handfuls of compost or well-rotted manure to a depth of six to eight inches.
Add in a shovelful of landscape sand or pea gravel to improve drainage if needed.
Sprinkle seeds on top of the soil and lightly cover with one-eighth of an inch of soil.
Water gently with a shower setting on the garden hose to avoid displacing the seeds.
After the seedlings are three inches tall, thin as needed to allow six to 12 inches between plants, depending on the cultivar.
Seeds planted after the last frost date will typically flower in their second year. Alternatively, you can sow seeds in early fall, for flowers the following spring.
By Division
Grown as a short-lived perennial, D. barbatus can be divided every two to four years. Plants are best divided in spring just as new growth starts to appear after winter dormancy.
If needed, water plants thoroughly a day or two before dividing to soften the soil and make lifting easier.
Insert a spade six to eight inches outside the root ball and dig all around the plant, then pry it up and lift it gently from the ground.
Use a clean, sharp knife to divide the roots into halves or quarters, then gently shake excess soil from each section.
Replant promptly in prepared soil to the same depth as the parent plant and water gently.
From Tip Cuttings
Tip cuttings take root quickly in summer and are best taken between June and September.
Take two- to three-inch cuttings from stem tips, remove the lower leaves and place stems upright in warm water to soak overnight.
The following day, dip the cut end into powdered rooting hormone, if desired, and insert them into four- to six-inch pots filled with a moist, porous potting mix. Use three to four cuttings per pot spaced evenly.
Place the cuttings in a cold frame or find a spot in the garden with dappled sunlight or light shade.
Keep the soil moist and roots should form in three to four weeks. After roots are established, transfer to larger pots or into the garden.
Cuttings taken in summer will flower the following year.
How to Grow
Sweet williams enjoy a full to partial sun location in rich, loamy soil with a light, porous composition and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
These plants are susceptible to crown rot and rust in wet conditions, so well-draining soil is a must. Also, ensure plants have adequate air circulation by spacing transplants six to 12 inches apart.
When you transplant your seedlings or nursery plants, ensure that the crown is just above or level with the soil surface.
In regions with hot, intense sunshine, they benefit from some light afternoon shade.
During their first growing season, water regularly with one inch of water per week, in the absence of rain.
D. barbatus is somewhat drought tolerant once established, but regular access to moisture increases blooms and plants should be watered during extended dry periods.
Growing Tips
- Plant in well-draining soil.
- Water regularly during extended dry periods.
- Ensure plants are spaced for adequate air circulation to avoid fungal disease like rust.
Pruning and Maintenance
During the growing season, give plants a dose of all-purpose, balanced fertilizer every six to eight weeks.
After flowering, deadhead spent blooms to tidy plants and encourage a second, lighter rebloom in summer.
If you wish to collect the seeds, allow a few flower heads to remain and ripen, then harvest seeds in late summer just as the dry pods start to open for seed dispersal – if you hear them rattle when gently shaken, they’re ready.
If you want plants to reseed themselves, leave a few flower heads in place. In late summer just as the pods are opening, clean the soil around the plants then bend the stems over and shake to scatter seeds.
Gently scratch seeds into the soil to barely cover, then firm lightly in place.
It should be noted that self-seeded plants from double-flowered or hybrid varieties will not grow true to the parent plant and typically revert back to the red and white coloring of the species plant.
In late fall after the foliage withers and dies, remove plant debris and clean beds. In areas with mild winters where leaf shedding is minimal, cut plants back to a height of four to six inches.
For areas that expect cold winter weather, apply a four-inch layer of loose mulch over the crown, such as shredded leaves or straw. Remove the mulch in spring after the danger of frost has passed.
After new growth emerges, you can selectively cull any unwanted seedlings. This is also a good time to divide older plants, and seedlings can be gently lifted and transplanted to new locations.
Cultivars to Select
There are many popular cultivars and hybrid series of D. barbatus to choose from.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Albus
For a restful note in the colorful early summer garden, ‘Albus’ provides a beautiful display of densely packed, pure white flowers in large, rounded umbels.
Rising on extra-sturdy stems that refuse to collapse, even after rain, the fragrant flower clusters make an attractive addition to raised beds, borders, or patio pots and throughout butterfly, cottage, and cutting gardens.
Gorgeous as a long-lasting cut flower, the edible flowers also make a lovely plate garnish or a pretty addition to mixed salad.
Plants reach mature heights of 20 inches and require no cold weather vernalization. Hardy in Zones 3 to 9.
Seeds by the packet or in bulk are available at Eden Brothers.
Jolt Pink Magic
With large and lovely white flower heads that magically morph into shades of pink, deepening as they mature, Jolt ‘Pink Magic’ is a strong summer performer and fragrant as well.
Jolt is one of the most heat-tolerant series, and plants feature strong stems that grow up to 16 inches tall.
Hardy in Zones 7 to 11, cultivars from the Jolt series are most often grown as annuals.
Packets of 20 seeds are available at Burpee.
Sweet Black Cherry
The Sweet series of hybrids are extremely fragrant and make fantastic cut flowers.
‘Black Cherry’ features striking, large flower heads in dark cherry with sparkling white and pink stamens on long, strong stems that last for weeks in the garden or in a vase.
Growing 18 to 36 inches tall, plants require no vernalization and put on a steady show in their first year.
They have good cold and heat tolerance and make a vibrant impact in the garden. Hardy in Zones 6 to 9.
Packets of 25 seeds are available at Burpee.
Telstar Mix
The Telstar series is noted for their well-branched plants with multitudes of colorful and lightly fragrant single, semi-double, and fully double fringed flowers.
Bred for high resistance to the pathogens that cause damping off, the compact plants grow eight to 10 inches tall in cascading mounds.
Telstar Mix offers a combination of bright, bold colors in shades of carmine rose, pink, purple, and purple picotee.
Their uniform growth is beautiful for mass planting in borders or edges and the cascading habit is perfect for hanging baskets, patio planters, or window boxes. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9.
Seed in packets and bulk are available at True Leaf Market.
Wee Willie Mix
Wee Willie is a fast-growing dwarf series that delivers a big impact with bright, bold colors of burgundy, magenta, mauve, pink, and fantastic bicolor variations.
With a spicy, sweet fragrance, the adorable compact plants grow up to eight inches and add vibrant color to borders, raised beds, containers, edges, rock gardens, and window boxes.
No vernalization is required for first year flowers and plants are hardy in Zones 4 to 10.
Packets and bulk seeds are available at Eden Brothers.
Managing Pests and Disease
Many D. barbatus cultivars have been bred for improved disease resistance, but a few common issues can still occur.
Pests like aphids or spider mites may make an appearance, and these can be despatched with a spray of water from the hose – or in the case of more severe infestations, neem oil or insecticidal soap can be applied.
Slugs and snails can chew stems and foliage, particularly in shady areas. To deal with gastropods, handpick and dispose – or read up on the best natural methods to protect your garden from slugs and snails.
Like all dianthus, plants are susceptible to fungal diseases like crown rot and rust, which are most prevalent in poorly draining soils.
When planting, ensure crowns are even with, or slightly above the soil line, and ensure your soil is free-draining.
To improve drainage, loosen the soil to 12 inches deep and amend with a shovelful or two of landscape sand or pea gravel.
And remember to provide adequate space between plants for air circulation.
Best Uses
Sweet williams are suitable for a variety of garden locations.
Low-growing varieties are an ideal choice for small areas and highly effective in borders, edging, and rockeries, or patio pots and window boxes.
Taller varieties can be used to fill gaps in perennial beds and are spectacular when massed in drifts or rows in butterfly, cottage, and courtyard gardens.
The tall stems and long bloom time add beauty to flower arrangements, so plant plenty for the cutting garden!
And be sure to mass plant species types where the spicy perfume can be enjoyed, such as bordering decks and patios, flanking entryways, and along garden paths.
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Short-lived flowering perennial | Flower / Foliage Color: | Burgundy, mauve, pink, purples, scarlet, white, and variegated bicolors |
| Native to: | Europe and Asia | Tolerance: | Deer, drought (once established) |
| Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 3-11, depending on cultivar | Maintenance: | Moderate |
| Season: | Late spring and early summer | Soil Type: | Organically rich |
| Exposure: | Full to part sun | Soil pH: | 6.0-7.5 |
| Spacing: | 6-12 inches | Soil Drainage: | Well-draining |
| Planting Depth: | 1/8 inch (seeds), crown at soil level (transplants) | Attracts: | Bees, birds, butterflies, hummingbirds |
| Height: | 8-36 inches | Uses: | Beds, borders, containers, edging; butterfly, cottage, courtyard, cutting, rock gardens |
| Spread: | 6-12 inches | Family: | Caryophyllaceae |
| Water Needs: | Moderate | Genus: | Dianthus |
| Common Pests and Diseases: | Aphids, spider mites, slugs, snails; crown rot, rust | Species: | Barbatus |
A Cottage Classic and More
Sweet williams are well-loved as cottage garden classics, but they also add charm and beauty to many more settings from borders and butterfly gardens to patio pots and window boxes.
Brightly colored with masses of flowers in late spring, remember to deadhead spent blooms for a light reflowering throughout the summer months.
Do you folks have a favorite variety of sweet william? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
And for more information about delightful dianthus, be sure to read these articles next:
