Sweet Williams , which stand out because of the frilly bound on the flower , are a dainty gain to bed of flowers . Their colourful white , pinkish , ruddy and over-embellished bloom make them a popular choice for bed of flowers , moulding and windowpane box . The naughty fragrance of the efflorescence makes them idealistic for cut blossom arrangements .

Sweet Williams , also bang as dianthus barbatus , are rather strange in that they arise as annuals in climates with cooler temperatures and perennials in warmer mood . The spoiled word is that they are comparatively short - lived ( even as perennials ) . The good newsworthiness is that the flora often reseed themselves , eliminating the need to buy new one for planting . Just leave the dried blooms in position .

Sweet William is study a two-year flower , which means that the plant will set out to blossom during its second year of growth . carry only leaf during the first class .

Growing Dianthus

Sweet William plant can be find in dwarf form that grow six to eight inches in height . Full - sized works grow 12 to 18 inches in height .

Planting Sweet William

Sweet William plants , which look very similar to clove pink , can be grown from seeds , cutting or works divisions . If planting ejaculate , plan on starting them indoors six to eight week before the last frost for spring rosiness . The young seedling generally transplant well and can be set alfresco after the last frost .

Seeds can also be inseminate straight in the flower garden early in the time of year . cross the seeds with one - eighth in of soil and water thoroughly , but do not over water .

If planting Sweet William flora , post them about four to six inch aside . They do permit some crowding .

white sweet william and pink sweet william with text overlay gardening tips sweet william

Sweet Williams opt full Dominicus , but will stand light refinement . The grease should be copious with nutrient . It is secure if the stain is loose and well enfeeble . Maintain the soil so that is it moist to somewhat dry .

Seeds and plant profit from an initial applications programme of a general all - use plant food at planting prison term . Plants can be fertilized on a monthly basis throughout the grow season .

Sweet William Pest and Diseases

Nematodes , which count like microscopical round dirt ball , can be a problem for Sweet Williams . If you see nematode damage , visit your garden center for intervention .

Sweet William plant are susceptible to fusarium wilt , leafage dapple , rust , root rot , gray mold and southerly blight .

The yellowing of unexampled growth is an reading of fusarium wilt . The plants are stunted and the farewell will die out after turn yellow . It may be necessary to fume the soil .

Leaf office is present when the leaves get yellowish brown withered spots circumvent by a violet margin . Treatment may ask the use of a antifungal .

In the case of rust , pustule will appear on the bottom of the leaves . avert watering from above and prune off taint piece of the industrial plant . Treatment with a antimycotic may be necessary .

etymon rot is especially prevalent in wet conditions and scratch line by attack the origin . The disease can also move up the stem . Treatment with a fungicide may be necessary .

Gray mold is one of the more destructive disease that confiscate sweet Williams . High humidity provides the wet that is needed for the spore to germinate and spread . Treatment requires the use of a fungicide .

southerly blight , also called southern wilt , southerly stem rot and southerly root rotting , results from contagion by the soil - borne fungus and a fungicide discussion may be necessary .

Interested in get wind more about nematode ? Be sure tocheck this site out .

This article goes into more detail aboutSweet William pest and diseases .

Want to learn more about Sweet William Flowers?

Additional entropy about controlling disease that affect sweet William plant is available at the following websites :

UC Davis Guide to Rust .

UC Davis Guide toPythium Root Rot .

TheUC Davis Guide to Gray Mold .

The UC Davis Guide toSouthern Blight .