• Sweet william is either biennial or perennial.
• The best time to plant is in February/ early March. The flower blooms well in summer
• The flowers bloom in variegated colours - crimson, scarlet, pink, red, violet and white
• Germination occurs in 10-15 days and fresh blooms can be seen by summer. 
• The flowers are known for their spicy aroma and thus are used to flavour dishes. 

Dianthus sweet william, a colourful scented flower native to southern Europe is revered for centuries, for its beautiful blooms. Dianthus plants have been used for ornamental and culinary purposes since Greek and Roman times. The flowers come as perennials as well as biennials. 

Dianthus Sweet Williams belongs to the family of carnations. Sweet Williams is grown in greenhouses for its spicy aroma. Based on the variety chosen, the plants grow up to 7-18 inches and bloom 2-3 cm in diameter. The plants bloom with 5 petals that present a spicy aroma. The flower blooms in varied hues that come as pink, crimson, red, violet, scarlet and white. In European countries like France and Spain, Dianthus flowers are used in wine flavouring. The variegated flowers with distinct patterns are the specific features of the Dianthus that could beautifully decorate walled or rock gardens. 

The extravagance of Dianthus expands into one's kitchens as it's used to flavour many dishes. As it is easy to grow Dianthus, they are widely used as a garnish for various cakes, desserts, salads, beverages, and signature dishes.

Specifications

How to Care

• Dianthus Sweet Williams has the perfect size to be grown in pots and containers. They can be grown from seeds easily and can be positioned at will as they can survive full sun to partial shade.
• The best time to sow is 2-8 weeks before spring, that is February in India. To directly sow, the seeds should be planted ⅛ inches deep in a rich, fertile, well-drained soil. It will take 10-15 days to germinate. 
• On germination, the seedling should be transferred into a medium-large pot and should be positioned where they could obtain 4-5 hours of sun daily. 
• Moisture retention is important for the plant to bloom and thus the soil should be mulched often to improve air circulation. The plants cannot bear overwatering, thus watering should be kept at a check. 
• Some of the pests and insects that can infect Dianthus Sweet Williams include sowbugs, grasshoppers, nematodes, slugs and Aphids. The pests can be controlled by watering the leaves with a hose and by applying pesticides at regular intervals.