Oranjeband® Dianthus barbatus Tall double mixed

Dianthus barbatus Tall double mixed (Dianthus barbatus)

Grandmother’s Favorite

Sweet William has graced cottage gardens for centuries. The clusters of flowers in red, pink, white, and bicolors carry a sweet, spicy clove-like fragrance. This is an old-fashioned flower with timeless appeal.

Edible Beauty

Sweet William flowers are edible with a sweet, slightly clove-like flavor. Remove the bitter white base of each petal. Use to decorate cakes, float in drinks, or scatter over salads. The colors remain vibrant.

Biennial Behavior

Sweet William is typically biennial – leaves the first year, flowers the second. But it self-sows so reliably that established plantings seem perennial. Allow some plants to set seed each year for continuous bloom.

Growing Tips

Sow in summer for flowers the following year. Full sun to light shade. Excellent in borders and cottage gardens. Deadhead to prolong bloom but allow some seeds to form for future plants.

Growing Dianthus barbatus Tall double mixed