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114 Liechtensteinstrasse Vienna - Austria
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Address
114 Liechtensteinstrasse Vienna - Austria
Work Hours
Everyday: 8AM - 23PM
Grow Sweet William: Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) is a short-lived perennial or biennial, growing up to 2 feet tall. Often treated as an annual, this plant features pointed green leaves and vibrant flowers that attract pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Note that sweet William is mildly toxic to pets and people.
Sweet William is easy to grow with the right conditions.
Sweet William thrives in full sun but can handle light shade. Too much shade can make the plants leggy and floppy. In hot regions, some afternoon shade helps prolong the blooms.
This plant tolerates various soil types except wet, heavy conditions. A well-drained, fertile, loamy site is ideal. Sweet William can grow in soils with different pH levels, though it prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Adding lime before planting can help.
Regular watering is essential, but avoid waterlogged conditions to prevent fungal diseases. The soil should feel slightly damp to the touch but not soggy.
Sweet William is relatively cold-hardy and can survive light frosts, but deep freezes will kill it. High humidity and temperatures above 85°F can cause dormancy.
Feed Sweet William with an all-purpose fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks during growth. The product label has the perfect amount for your needs.
Prune Sweet William in late winter or early spring, just above the leaf nodes. If the plant is too bushy, trim the stem tips. Thin out leggy and weak stems to improve airflow.
Propagation from cuttings is possible, but many prefer buying cold-treated plants in spring to grow as annuals.
Sweet William is well-suited for containers. Use a 5-inch or larger pot with drainage holes, rich potting mix, and a bit of compost. Ensure the container is in a sunny spot. If you notice water pooling or root congestion, repot in spring into a slightly larger container.
Sweet William is easy to grow from seed but typically doesn’t bloom the first year. Sow seeds in late spring or early summer when frost is no longer a risk. They need cool temperatures (50-55°F) and moist soil for germination. Thin the seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
To get blooms in the first year, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Harden off and transplant seedlings outside after the frost danger has passed.
Protect Sweet William in winter by cutting back dead foliage and blooms after flowering, creating a protective mulch layer. Bring your potted plants indoors or to a covered patio.
Sweet William can suffer from fungal diseases like rust and crown rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soil. It is also prone to slugs and snails.
Sweet William can bloom from May to October under ideal conditions.
The flowers stay vibrant for up to ten days before fading.
Moist but well-drained soil is crucial for abundant blooms. Avoid overly hot temperatures, which can reduce flowering.
Sweet William offers clusters of flowers in red, pink, white, and purple, some fragrant but many scentless. The fringed petals give it the nickname “bearded pink.”
Cut back dead foliage and flowers to prevent them from draining the plant’s energy.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms, but stop in late summer to promote self-seeding.
Typically grown as biennials or annuals, they usually produce foliage in the first year and blooms in the second year before dying. Occasionally, they bloom in the third season.
Plant in full sunlight or partial shade with slightly alkaline, well-draining soil.
Yes, Grow Sweet William is low-maintenance and offers abundant blooms with minimal effort when grown under the right conditions.
Yes, Sweet William is a popular cut flower, lasting several weeks with a strong stem and attractive flower heads.