The mostly two-year-old carnations are very easy to care for and also like to sow themselves. Once planted, you can enjoy these lush blooming summer flowers for a long time. They are ideal as cut flowers or for planting in a classic cottage garden.

Sweet William needs very little water

Planting Sweet William

Sweet William are easy to grow from seed, so you don't necessarily need to buy young plants. Both the home-grown and purchased sweetheart carnations should be planted by October at the latest so that they can grow well and become resilient before winter. Although they tolerate partial shade, they need a sunny location to bloom really well.

Water and fertilize the sweethearts

If you cultivate your sweet William in a planter, you should water them regularly. On the other hand, if they are outdoors, watering is only necessary on hot days. About once a month you add liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water, your carnations do not need more fertilizer.

Cut sweet cloves

You only have to cut Sweet William if you want to use them for bouquets, these plants do not need pruning. However, this can encourage a second bloom. In this case, after the first flowering, cut your sweet William just above the ground.

diseases and pests

The Sweet William is not attacked very often by diseases or pests. Snails avoid these plants. When waterlogged, however, they easily die, especially in winter. Rust fungi also occasionally occur in the sweet William. Remove the affected parts of the plant immediately, because if the infestation is severe, you would have to use an antifungal agent.

Sweet William in winter

The carnation is hardy, only young plants and carnations in planters need protection from the cold. However, overwintering in frost-free indoor areas is more harmful than useful for the Sweet William. It is better to cover bedding plants with leaves or brushwood and wrap planters with warming fleece or an old blanket.

The essentials in brief:

  • easy-care
  • hardy
  • robust
  • full sun location
  • biennial
  • self-seeding
  • fertilize once a month

tips

The sunnier the location, the more beautiful the sweet willow blossoms. You can support flowering with a monthly dose of fertilizer.

Category:

Vegetable garden