Scientific Name:
Dianthus barbatus
(incl. hybrid cvs.)
Pronunciation:
dye-AN-thus bar-BAY-tus
Common Name:
sweet William
Family Name:
Caryophyllaceae
Plant Type:
Biennial, Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Slender herbaceous perennial; leaves opposite on swollen nodes, lanceolate, most 6-10cm long x 1-2cm wide; flowers radial, sessile, in dense cymose clusters, most petals ruffled or frilled, vibrant purple-pink, clove-like scent.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Europe, Garden origin
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Alkaline, Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Attract butterflies, Bedding plant, Container planting, Fragrance, Perennial border
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Fall:
Brown
Shapes:
Elliptic, Lanceolate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Entire
Additional Info:
to 10cm long
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme, Corymb-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Purple, Pink, Magenta, Red (petals bicoloured in some cvs.)
Flower Scent:
Sweet
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
sessile and clustered with leafy bracts below
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Persistent
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Leaf-like bracts
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Crown rot, Rust, Slugs or snails (Deer resistant, Drought tolerant)
