- Carithers Flowers Main Website- Wikipedia: Sweet William

Sweet William

Carithers Flowers Design Favorite

Vibrant and unique, the Sweet William flower is a popular garden ornament worldwide. As part of the carnation family, this flower sets itself apart from the rest with its serrated flower edges and tall stature. Though some Sweet Williams only grow 4 inches above the ground, the traditional Sweet William flower reaches heights between 30-75 centimeters tall, which is why it is frequently used in flower arrangements and bouquets.

This flower is a main attraction for bees, birds, and butterflies due to its sweet nectar and strong aroma that tends to a fill gardens and yards with its sweet smell when in bloom. Sweet William can be found in a variety of colors ranging from white, pink, red, and purple to patterns of mixed colors. Although this flower can be found in many different colors, generally only red and white variations of this plant are found in the wild. Legends propose many different honorable men that this flower is named after such as Prince William, Duke of Cumberland; William Shakespeare, Saint William of York, and William the Conqueror, though no specific person has ever been declared the true honorary of the Sweet William flower.

Growing Recommendations – Sweet William

The Sweet William grows best in a more alkaline based soil in an area that gets sunshine as well as shade throughout the day. Too much water is bad for this plant. Soil should be moist to slightly dry and the plant should be located in a relatively warm climate for best growth results. Unfortunately, the Sweet William is a short-lived perennial, not lasting longer than a few weeks in gardens or in the wild. As a biennial flower, this plant will bloom during its second year, only producing leaves in its first year of growth. The Sweet William is self-seeding so it is not necessary to replant seeds; the flower will bloom again in the following year without any aid.

Photos of Sweet William

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