Sweet William 'Auricula Eyed Mix' Seeds

Sweet William is a classic Biennial (often acting as a short-lived perennial).

It operates on a two-year cycle.
The Strategy: Sow seeds in late spring or summer (May-July). The plants will grow a low mat of green foliage in year one, overwinter, and then burst into spectacular flower the following early summer.
Top Tip: Don't bury them deep! Sweet William seeds benefit from a little light to germinate, so just press them onto the soil surface.

This is a very easy, forgiving plant that thrives in British gardens.

Germination:
Sow outdoors in a seedbed from May to July. Scatter seeds thinly and rake in very lightly (barely covering). Keep moist. They germinate quickly in 7-14 days. Transplant them to their flowering position in Autumn.

Where to Sow:
They prefer full sun but will tolerate light shade. They love slightly alkaline (chalky) soil but will grow happily in any well-drained garden soil. They hate sitting in wet, acidic bogs.

Care While Growing:
Sweet Williams are robust. Keep the soil weed-free around the base to allow air circulation. After flowering, if you cut the stems back hard, you can sometimes trick the plant into acting as a perennial, getting a second (smaller) flush of flowers the next year.

Sweet William is the star of the early summer transition period. Pair it with these seasonal friends:

• 🏰 Foxglove 'Excelsior Mix': The perfect timing. Foxgloves and Sweet Williams are the two titans of the biennial world. They flower at exactly the same time (June). The tall vertical Foxgloves rise up behind the mounded Sweet Williams for a classic display.
• 💙 Nigella 'Miss Jekyll Blue': Texture contrast. The stiff, upright stems of the Sweet William look wonderful surrounded by the soft, hazy blue mist of the Nigella.

Sow in summer for flowers the following year.