Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Dianthus barbatus or Sweet William

The genus Dianthus, family Caryophyllaceae, includes 300 species of herbaceous plants native to Europe and Asia. Some species are: Dianthus barbatus, Dianthus anatolicus, Dianthus alpinus, Dianthus caryophyllus, Dianthus sinensis, Dianthus rupicola.

Common names: Sweet William, Bearded pink. This species is native to Europe and Asia.

They are perennial plants that are grown as biennial; They have tussock bearing and reach 50 cm (1.64 feet) in height. The bright green leaves are arranged opposite each other and have an oblong-lanceolate shape. The very showy flowers appear in terminal inflorescences and can be red, pink, purple, white or bicolor. They bloom from late spring to late summer.

These easy-to-grow plants are used in borders, to create patches of color on lawns, in pots for balconies and terraces, and as cut flowers for floral decorations.

Dianthus barbatus needs full sun or light shade exposure. Resists occasional low intensity frosts.

The soil can be a loamy or chalky garden substrate with some coarse sand and plenty of organic matter like manure, humus, or leaf mulch. Planting is done in autumn.

Water regularly so that the substrate is always damp but never waterlogged.

Fertilize with mineral fertilizer every 15 days in spring and summer until flowering ends.

Prune in autumn intensively, almost at ground level.

They are quite resistant plants but can be attacked by insects and fungi if there is excess watering.

They propagate by division or by seeds sown in seedbeds during the spring.

Images of the plant Dianthus barbatus or Sweet William