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Garden Rose
Rosa cultivars
Spring
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Dianthus barbatus
Clusters of small, colorful flowers with sweet fragrance. Cottage garden classic. Bicolor varieties available. Old-fashioned charm. Dense flower heads add texture.
Spring, Summer
Temperate
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Stays fresh for 7 to 10 days
when properly cared for
Light, sweet, spicy-clove scent typical of dianthus family
Mildly toxic to pets. May cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested.
Named after William, Duke of Cumberland, or possibly Shakespeare's Sweet William
Has been cultivated since the 16th century as a cottage garden favorite
In the language of flowers, sweet william means "gallantry" and "finesse"
The bicolored patterns were called "painted ladies" in Victorian times
Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) is native to southern Europe and was brought to English gardens in the 16th century. Various legends attribute the name to different Williams - from Duke of Cumberland to William the Conqueror to Shakespeare. It became a cottage garden staple by the 18th century.
