How to identify Sweet william (Dianthus barbatus)

How to identify Sweet william (Dianthus barbatus)

Sweet william typically presents as either a biennial or a short-lived perennial plant. It can be easily recognized by its dense, rounded clusters of flowers, which display a vivid range of colors including white, red, purple, and often bi-colored varieties. The flowers can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall, featuring the distinctive 'barbed' growth on their petals. This species flourishes in loamy, slightly alkaline soil, and appreciates sun to partial shade in regions with hot summers. Various cultivars offer double-flowered and dwarf forms, catering to diverse gardening preferences.

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual, Biennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Sweet william

Distinct clusters of flowers in varied colors: white, red, purple, bi-colored.

Petals with 'barbed' growth reaching up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall.

Flowers with frilled, dentate margins, clustered terminally with fragrant blooms.

Dry capsule fruit with dehiscent splitting; seeds shield-like, blackish-brown.

Narrow, lance-shaped leaves, grayish-green/blue-green, opposite pairs, smooth texture.

Detailed Traits of Sweet william

Leaf Features

The leaves of sweet william are narrow and lance-shaped, measuring up to 4 inches (10 cm) in length. They exhibit a grayish-green or blue-green hue. The basal leaves are oblong-lanceolate with 4-10 pairs of cauline leaves along the stem. The leaves, which are typically short-stalked to stalkless, are arranged in opposite pairs. Their texture is smooth, with a notable lanceolate shape, and they lack significant vein differentiation, providing a consistent identification feature.

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Flower Features

Sweet william's flowers are renowned for their vibrant and diverse colors, ranging from shades of pink, red, to bicolor patterns with white. The flowers are composed of five petals with beautifully frilled, dentate margins. Each delicate, often fragrant bloom is clustered terminally, creating a stunning visual display. The flowers can reach a diameter of approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm). They typically bloom in late spring to early summer, offering a visually and olfactorily delightful experience for plant enthusiasts.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of sweet william is a dry capsule that exhibits a unique, dehiscent characteristic, splitting open upon maturation to disperse its seeds. As the fruit ripens, four valves emerge, allowing for the release of its numerous seeds. These seeds are distinctive in their shield-like shape, with a blackish-brown hue that provides visual indicators of readiness for dissemination. The seeds are intricately nestled in the single-chambered capsule, with each seed potential contributing to the propagation of sweet william.

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Sweet william and Their Similar Plants

Carnation vs. Sweet william: What's The Difference?

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is a herbaceous ornamental perennial known for its fragrant, distinctive flowers. Wild varieties of this species can be found in the Mediterranean. Carnation has rich symbolism, both in the traditional and religious sense. Its symbolic representations can be found in numerous cultures, from North America to the far East.

Chinese pink vs. Sweet william: What's The Difference?

Chinese pink (Dianthus chinensis) is a perennial flowering herb native to China, Russia, and Mongolia. In the wild, chinese pink grows in dense woodlands and forests. In cultivation, it is a common ornamental plant grow in hanging baskets and planters.

Cheddar pink vs. Sweet william: What's The Difference?

The showy pink flowers of the cheddar pink or Dianthus gratianopolitanus are attractive to butterflies. These pretty pinks are deer resistant, tolerant of high humidity, and drought tolerant. This low-growing perennial will thrive in both flowerbeds and container gardens as long as it has part sun to full sun with a moderate amount of moisture.

Garden pink vs. Sweet william: What's The Difference?

Garden pink (Dianthus plumarius) is a compact evergreen perennial that can grow to be 15 to 61 cm tall. It blooms in spring with pink, red or white fragrant flowers. Garden pink blossoms have a wheel-like shape and a long blooming season. This species grows best in full sunlight. It attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. This species has toxic seeds and can be a skin irritant for people and pets.

Maiden pink vs. Sweet william: What's The Difference?

Maiden pink (Dianthus deltoides) is a flowering perennial herb native to Europe and Western Asia. In the wild, maiden pink grows on rocky ground and in grasslands. It is often cultivated as an ornamental plant for its colorful flowers.

Deptford pink vs. Sweet william: What's The Difference?

Deptford pink (Dianthus armeria) is an annual wildflower that grows from 30 to 76 cm tall. It is commonly found growing in disturbed areas and pastures and along roadsides, railroad tracks and woodland edges. It blooms small, yet showy, clusters of pink flowers. The flower's nectar attracts butterflies, skippers, bees and flies. The name refers to an area in England where the plant was once common.

Grass rose pink vs. Sweet william: What's The Difference?

Grass rose pink is known and loved for its vibrant pink, aromatic flowers. It's a popular choice amongst gardeners and is cultivated for commercial sale. Pavonius within the plant's Latin name (meaning 'like a peacock') and the plant's common name, Peacock-eye pink, were given for the flowers which have a dark central circle.

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Key Facts About Sweet william

Attributes of Sweet william

Lifespan

Perennial, Annual, Biennial

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

13 cm to 92 cm

Spread

15 cm to 30 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2 cm to 3 cm

Flower Color

White

Red

Pink

Purple

Black

Violet

Fruit Color

Brown

Black

Copper

Stem Color

Green

Red

White

Purple

Pink

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Sweet william

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Pinks, cacti, and allies

Family

Pink

Genus

Dianthus

Species

Sweet william (Dianthus barbatus)

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Distribution Map of Sweet william

Sweet william grows natively in two disparate parts of the world—the mountains of Europe and northern East Asia. It grows in woodlands and meadows. Sweet william has been widely introduced as a garden plant worldwide, and has escaped cultivation to grow wild in much of North America and Central Asia.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Sweet william

A Comprehensive Guide to Sweet william How to Grow and Care for Sweet william