Sweet John Dianthus barbatus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-AN-thus bar-BAY-tus
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William) is a biennial or short-lived perennial that is often grown as an annual. It thrives in loamy, slightly alkaline soil in sun or partial shade in hot summer climates. The flowers grow in rounded, dense clusters. Colors range from white through intense red and purple, often bicolor. There are many cultivars available, including double-flowered and dwarf forms. The epithet ' barbatus' refers to the barbed or beard-like growth arising from the petals.
It is susceptible to crown rot and rust, particularly in poorly-drained soils. and can be bothered by snails and slugs, particularly in shaded areas.
This plant has poison characteristics: low toxicity only if eaten and minor skin irritation iasting only for a few minutes.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Cottage Garden in Shade Retaining Wall Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Green Ball'
A cultivar with dense green bracts instead of flowers; popular in floral arrangements. - 'Heart Attack'
dark blood-red, tolerates heat and humidity well
- 'Green Ball'
- 'Green Ball', 'Heart Attack'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Green Ball'
A cultivar with dense green bracts instead of flowers; popular in floral arrangements. - 'Heart Attack'
dark blood-red, tolerates heat and humidity well
- 'Green Ball'
- 'Green Ball', 'Heart Attack'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dianthus
- Species:
- barbatus
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- European Mountains (Pyrenees, Carpathians, Balkans)
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Fragrance
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The capsule is 1-celled, opening by 4 valves, the fruit is dry and splits open when ripe with numerous, shield-shaped blackish-brown seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Head
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Wheel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers 5-parted with a frilled margin, often fragrant, shades of pink, red, often bicolor with white.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow lance-shaped leaves that are often grayish-green or blue-green to 4" long. Several oblong-lanceolate basal leaves, 4-10 pairs of cauline leaves. Short-stalked to stalkless
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Patio
- Recreational Play Area
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
- Humidity
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
