Sweet William Dianthus barbatus 'Noverna Purple' (Noverna Series)

👤 Non-toxic to humans
🐾 Non-toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
sweet william 'Noverna Purple'

ABOUT

Dianthus barbatus 'Noverna Purple', commonly known as Sweet William, is a popular flowering plant cherished for its eye-catching and vibrant flowers. The most striking feature of this variety is the rich purple hue of its densely clustered blooms. Each petite flower boasts a classic, frilly-edged look that adds to the overall texture and charm of the flower clumps. The flowers are grouped together in compact, domed clusters that rise above the foliage, creating a pleasing contrast against the green backdrop. The leaves of the Sweet William are slender and lance-shaped with a slightly blue-green tint that complements the vivid purple of the flowers. Overall, the appearance of the Dianthus barbatus 'Noverna Purple' is one of opulent color and engaging form, making it a favored choice for gardeners seeking to add a splash of regal purple to their garden palette.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Caryophyllaceae

    • Synonyms

      Sweet William, Noverna Purple Sweet William

    • Common names

      Dianthus barbatus 'Noverna Purple'

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      Sweet William, as Dianthus barbatus is commonly called, is not known to be toxic to humans. Therefore, ingestion of parts of this plant typically does not entail a high risk of poisoning or present serious symptoms. If large amounts are consumed, some people might experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort or a reaction due to individual sensitivities. However, generally, the plant is considered safe around humans with no significant toxic effects.

    • To pets

      Sweet William is also not considered highly toxic to pets. Similar to humans, pets that consume parts of the plant may experience mild gastrointestinal upset, but there aren't commonly severe symptoms associated with poisoning from this plant. As with any non-food plant, it's still best to prevent your pet from eating ornamental plants as individual reactions can vary and some pets may be more sensitive, potentially leading to more pronounced symptoms.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Biennials

    • Foliage type

      Semi-deciduous

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      Purple

    • Height

      1-2 feet (30-60 cm)

    • Spread

      1 feet (30 cm)

    • Plant type

      Herb

    • Hardiness zones

      3

    • Native area

      Europe

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Aesthetic Appeal: Dianthus barbatus 'Noverna Purple', commonly known as Sweet William, adds vibrant purple hues to landscapes and gardens.
    • Fragrance: The plant is well-known for its pleasant and sweet scent, which adds a layer of sensory enjoyment to its surroundings.
    • Attracts Pollinators: Sweet William is attractive to butterflies and bees, promoting pollination in the garden.
    • Long Blooming: The Noverna Series is appreciated for its extended blooming period, providing color and interest throughout the growing season.
    • Cut Flowers: Its flowers are popular in bouquets and floral arrangements due to their beauty and lasting qualities.
    • Low Maintenance: Sweet William is generally easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established in the right conditions.
    • Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has a good level of drought tolerance, making it suitable for gardens with limited water availability.
    • Cold Hardy: The plant is cold-hardy, capable of withstanding cooler temperatures, which makes it versatile for various climates.
    • Edible Flowers: The flowers of Sweet William are edible and can be used to decorate salads and desserts.
    • Versatility: It can be grown in borders, rockeries, or as a part of a mixed perennial bed, offering flexibility in garden design.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Sweet William, due to their vibrant purple hues, can be used as a natural dye for fabrics and yarns. The petals contain anthocyanins which can impart colors ranging from soft lavenders to rich purples.
    • Dried Sweet William petals can be incorporated into potpourri mixes for a floral scent and a touch of color in home décor.
    • The petals of Sweet William can be pressed and used in craft projects such as creating botanical paper, greeting cards, or bookmarks.
    • Sweet William can be used in floral arrangements to teach children about botany and horticulture, fostering an early interest in plant science and gardening.
    • The vibrant flowers can be used as edible decorations for cakes and pastries, adding a splash of color and subtle floral taste to desserts.
    • Sweet William flowers can be used in perfumery, capturing the essence of their scent in homemade perfumes, lotions, or sachets.
    • They can also serve as natural confetti for outdoor celebrations, being both biodegradable and adding a colorful flourish to events.
    • Sweet William is a popular subject for botanical illustration and watercolor painting, providing inspiration for artists with its rich purples and complex flower structure.
    • The plant can be used in photography projects to explore macro and close-up imaging, showcasing the detailed textures and patterns of the petals and foliage.
    • Insects such as butterflies and bees are attracted to Sweet William, making them a useful addition to gardens designed to support and observe wildlife.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Sweet William is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Dignity: Dianthus flowers are often associated with dignity due to their regal coloring and stately form.
    • Admiration: With their bold purple hues, the Dianthus barbatus 'Noverna Purple' can symbolize deep admiration and the sending of a positive message to someone you respect.
    • Purity of Love: Because dianthus is historically linked with the idea of pure affection, 'Noverna Purple,' like its relatives, can represent an individual's unadulterated love.
    • Boldness: The rich color of this cultivar of Sweet William suggests a sense of daring and standing out from the crowd, hence it can be symbolic of boldness or courage.
    • Fascination: The intricate patterns and striking coloration of the Dianthus barbatus are often symbolized as an emblem of fascination or attraction.

💧
Every 1-2 weeks
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
50%
Humidity
🪴
Every 1-2 years
Repotting
🌱️
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning

  • water dropWater

    Sweet William should be watered when the top inch of soil begins to feel dry to the touch. For outdoor plants, this typically means watering once a week, but frequency may need to increase during prolonged hot, dry periods, possibly to twice a week. Water the plant at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. As a general rule, provide the plant with one to two gallons of water per week, adjusting for rainfall, ensuring the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can be just as harmful as underwatering, so always check soil moisture before watering.

  • sunLight

    Sweet William thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to perform best. Choose a spot in the garden that receives unfiltered sun for most of the day. While the plant can tolerate partial shade, too little sunlight can result in weaker stems and fewer blooms. Ensure that any surrounding plants don't overshadow Sweet William, as this can affect its growth and flowering.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Sweet William prefers cool to moderate temperature conditions, with ideal daytime temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures dropping slightly lower. It can tolerate a frost and survive winter temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit but will struggle in prolonged heat above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, the plant is most colorful and robust during the cooler weather of late spring and early fall.

  • scissorsPruning

    Pruning Sweet William is crucial for promoting bushier growth and more abundant blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blossoms and prevent the plant from putting energy into seed production. Pruning should be done immediately after the first flush of blooms in late spring or early summer. Cut back the stems by one third to one half to maintain a compact form and stimulate a second wave of flowering in the season.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Sweet William prefers well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH level, typically between 6.75 and 7.5. A good soil mix can be made by blending equal parts of loam, sand, and compost or well-rotted manure to ensure good drainage and fertility.

  • plantRepotting

    Sweet William does not typically require frequent repotting as it is often grown as a biennial. However, if it's grown as a perennial, repotting every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its pot is sufficient.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Sweet William thrives in average humidity levels. These plants do not require a particularly humid environment, making them well-suited for typical outdoor conditions or indoor settings with normal humidity levels.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Place Sweet William in bright, indirect light with good air circulation.

    • Outdoor

      Plant Sweet William in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil.

    • Hardiness zone

      3-9 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    The Sweet William, belonging to the Noverna Series and specifically the Dianthus barbatus 'Noverna Purple', begins its life as a seed which upon germination in early spring, develops into a small seedling. It will then grow into a vegetative state, forming a rosette of leaves at the base during its first growing season. In the second year, the plant proceeds to a flowering stage where it produces tall stems with clusters of vibrant purple flowers usually in late spring to early summer. After pollination, typically via bees and butterflies attracted by its fragrance and nectar, the plant sets seed. Once seed production is complete, the plant may begin to decline, though some may persist or reseed to live another cycle. As a biennial, after setting seed, the plant often completes its lifecycle and dies, but gardeners can prolong its life by deadheading and preventing seed formation, encouraging the plant to produce ornamental foliage and possibly more flowers in the following season.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring-Early Summer

    • The most popular method for propagating Sweet William, specifically Dianthus barbatus 'Noverna Purple' (Noverna Series), is by sowing seeds. The ideal time to sow Sweet William seeds is late spring to early summer or in fall for blooms the following year. Seeds should be placed on top of well-drained soil and lightly pressed into the dirt, as they need light to germinate. They should not be covered with soil. Keep the soil moist until germination, which generally takes 7-14 days at around 70°F (21°C). Once seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves, they can be thinned or transplanted to give each plant enough space to mature.

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