Common name: Sweet william

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Plant type	Annual, biennial, perennial
Height	3 to 5 inches
Spread	6 to 8 inches
Habit	Spreading, bushy
Foliage	Evergreen
Growth rate	Slow
Interests	Flowers
Uses	Borders, pots and tubs, rockery, cut flower
Skill level	Beginner
Maintenance	Slight
Hardiness	3
Heat zone
Sun	Full sun
Moisture	Dry to average
Soil type	Slightly acid to slightly lime
Soil fertility	Moderate
Water consumption	Light to moderate
Site	Sheltered to exposed
Flower colour	Pink, purple, red, white
Flower season	Early spring to mid summer
Flower size	Medium
Foliage colour	Green
Fruit colour
Edible parts
Harvest time
Stems
Features
Wildlife
Texture

Sweet williams are usually biennial but some types are also annual or perennial. The plant habit is generally low and spreading and they bear single flowers in colours of red, pink and white including bi-colour varieties.

All dianthus require a well drained soil and a site in full sun. When planting perennial and rockery varieties incorporate extra grit into the soil.

Sweet williams are usually grown from seed. Biennial types can be sown in July or August for flowering early the following spring. Annual types can be sown in March or April. Cover the seeds in a fine layer of vermiculite and germinate at about 22C (71F) (Summer sowings will usually germinate well in a shady part of the garden).