Sweet William or Dianthus barbatus 'Etournelle Lilac' Seeds allow you to easily grow this ornamental biennial, prized for its umbels of small lilac flowers with subtle shades and a light fragrance. This upright and bushy variety illuminates flower beds, borders and planters with its generous flowering. Its light green, finely cut foliage contrasts elegantly with the softness of its flowers. Easy to grow in rich, moist and well-drained soil, it tolerates cold well and enjoys sunny exposures.
Sweet William Etournelle Lilac seeds - Dianthus barbatus
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Sweet William Etournelle Lilac seeds - Dianthus barbatus
Dianthus barbatus Etournelle Lilac
Sweet William
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A biennial variety with romantic charm, producing delicate lilac-pink flowers with soft hues, borne in dense clusters on sturdy stems. Its light green, finely cut foliage highlights its fragrant inflorescences. This easy-to-grow plant thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil in a sunny position. It is cold-resistant and its early flowering, from June to August, brings a touch of freshness to beds, borders and country bouquets. Sow the seeds under cover, from January to February as a late-flowering annual, or from June to July to see them flower the following spring.
Flower size
3 cm
Height at maturity
45 cm
Exposure
Sun
Germination time (days)
14 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover
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Sowing period
January to February, June to July
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Flowering time
June to August
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Description
Sweet William Etournelle Lilac, also called Poet's Pink or Bearded Pink, belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. This species is native to Eurasia, particularly the temperate regions of southern Europe and western Asia. In its natural habitat, it grows in open areas, on forest edges or grassy slopes. The Etournelle Lilac cultivar, selected for its nuanced lilac inflorescences, stands out for its early and uniform flowering, as well as its elongated stems, ideal for cutting. It reaches a height of 40 to 50 cm in open ground and has an upright and branching habit. Its light green, lanceolate and smooth foliage measures about 5 to 10 cm long. The flowers, grouped in corymbiform cymes 8 to 12 cm in diameter, are lightly scented and composed of five fringed petals. Flowering extends from May to August. If the plant is placed in partial shade, it flowers until autumn, with fewer flowers. The scent of the flowers is both spicy and sweet, like clove and cinnamon.
In the garden, Sweet William Etournelle Lilac introduces a delicate rhythm with its floral domes, carried by light but firm stems. It fits perfectly on the edge of mixed borders where its spring flowering precedes the great summer stars. It will be happily associated with Campanula persicifolia 'Alba', whose white bells resonate with the fineness of its flowers, or with Alchemilla mollis, whose embossed and acid green foliage contrasts elegantly. Alongside it, Papaver somniferum 'Black Peony' adds a dramatic depth to the scene.
Flowering
Flower colour
pink
Flowering time
June to August
Inflorescence
Cyme
Flower size
3 cm
Fragrance
slightly scented, sweet, spicy
Bee-friendly
Attracts pollinators
Good for cut flowers
Cut flower blooms
Foliage
Foliage persistence
Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour
green
Plant habit
Height at maturity
45 cm
Spread at maturity
30 cm
Growth rate
fast
Botanical data
Genus
Dianthus
Species
barbatus
Cultivar
Etournelle Lilac
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Other common names
Sweet William
Origin
Cultivar or hybrid
Product reference
•
24502
Planting and care
Sow the seeds of Sweet William Etournelle Lilac indoors or in a greenhouse, from January to February as a late-flowering annual, or from June to July to see them flower in spring.
Sow on the surface of good quality, well-drained compost. Place the seed tray in a propagator at a temperature of 15-20°C, or in a clear polythene bag until germination, which takes 7-21 days. Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged, and do not exclude light.
When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick out into 8cm pots and allow the young plants to develop in cooler conditions. When all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions for 7-10 days before transplanting outside. Space them 30cm apart, and plant in any fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
Sowing period
Sowing period
January to February, June to July
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover
Germination time (days)
14 days
Intended location
Suitable for
Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use
Border, Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness
Hardy down to -18°C (USDA zone 7a)
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Ease of cultivation
Amateur
Exposure
Sun
Soil pH
Neutral, Calcareous
Soil moisture
Moist soil, Well-draining, fertile
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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The flowering period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.)
It will vary according to where you live:
- In zones 9 to 10 (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), flowering will occur about 2 to 4 weeks earlier.
- In zones 6 to 7 (Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and lower mountainous regions), flowering will be delayed by 2 to 3 weeks.
- In zone 5 (Central Europe, Scandinavia), blooming will be delayed by 3 to 5 weeks.
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands).
It will vary according to where you live:
- In Mediterranean zones (Marseille, Madrid, Milan, etc.), autumn and winter are the best planting periods.
- In continental zones (Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, etc.), delay planting by 2 to 3 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 2 to 4 weeks in autumn.
- In mountainous regions (the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, etc.), it is best to plant in late spring (May-June) or late summer (August-September).
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.