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Botanical Name: Dianthus barbatus

Pronunciation: die-AN-thus bar-BAY-tus

Family Name: Caryophyllaceae (pink)

Origin: Southern Europe

Common Relatives: carnation, baby's breath, silene, chickweed, snow-in-summer

Introduction: Lore has it that sweet william, sister to the carnation, might have been named for William Shakespeare. Its name may also come from the French word for eye (ouillet) referring to the contrasting color of the bloom’s center. Wherever its name came from, to the Victorians, sweet william stood a symbol of childhood, memory, gallantry, finesse and dexterity. In creams, yellows, browns and bronzes, these gorgeous blooms last up to 10 days.

Interesting Facts:

• Dianthus is from the Greek "dios" (divine) and "anthos" (flower). The specific epithet name barbatus means "bearded" and refers to the beard-like growth in the flower center.
• According to some references, the common name Sweet William derives from the French word "oeillet" or "eye" (referring to the contrasting color of the flower center) and became "Willy" and then "William" in English.
• Other references claim the name sweet William is in honor of Saint William or of William Shakespeare.
• Single and double flower forms exist, the flowers often have a contrasting "eye" (the center is colored differently from the outer parts of the petals).

• Flowers 1 inch wide with fringed petals and often a contrasting "eye", in flat-topped clusters at stem ends
• plant is an herbaceous biennial (lives 2 years)

Flower Color: white, pink, salmon, crimson, purple, bicolors

Fragrance: none or slight

Decorative Life: 7-10 days

Special Care Tips: Should be treated with an anti-ethylene product. Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution.

Ethylene Sensitivity: yes