Introduction

Sweet William grows in a cluster and there are up to 30 flowers at the top of the stem. The leaves of this flower too look nice as the color varies from green to glaucous blue-green.

The scientific name of this flower is Dianthus barbatus (Latin), and it grows in temperate climates. That means this flower is quite sturdy and can grow in any place which has more than -3 degrees Celsius temperature. They normally grow during the spring season to summers.

Sweet William flowers are native to the mountains and hilly areas of southern and central Europe. They are spotted even in the Mediterranean regions. There are other varieties of this flower that are available in north-eastern China, south-eastern Russia, and Korea. This flower primarily grows in the northern hemisphere.

This plant can even be grown in pots. You just need to buy the seeds and grow them in a pot or small garden at home. This shrub grows to 30-75 cm and each flower is 2–3 cm in diameter. Each flower has five petals, and the colorful bunch looks very appealing. Each flower has serrated edges which makes them popular for ornamental and decorative reasons.

https://pixabay.com/photos/sweet-william-flower-blossom-bloom-6294188/

Etymology

The word dianthus means ''Flowers of Gods.'' This word originated from the Greek word ‘’Dios’’ which means God and ‘’anthos’’ means flower. Hence, the sweet William flower has some spiritual connotations too.

The exact origin of its English common name Sweet William is unknown however, some documentations state that it was named after William of York who was also known as William the Conqueror. These flowers covered the hills of Normandy where he was victorious in the year 1066.

The proper documentation of this name Sweet William first appears in the catalog of plants cultivated in the garden of John Gerard in the years between 1596 and 1599. 

Connection with War and Architecture

Another etymological derivation is that this flower was named after Prince William Augustus who was the Duke of Cumberland. In 1746 he led the British forces at the Battle of Culloden. This was the final battle in the series of wars of the Jacobite movement or rebellion. This war is also known as the Jacobite rising or the forty-five rebellion. Charles Edward Stuart was leading the army of Jacobites and they were defeated by the British army led by William Augustus.

If we check popular English folklore and ballads, we will find that Sweet William is a popular name for lovelorn English young men. It is also believed to have some connection with France as there is some connection with French architecture. An oillet is a round or oval-shaped hole or circle which terminates in an arrowslit outlet. In the medieval period these ''little eyes'' were known as William in France.

What do Sweet William flowers symbolize?

The Sweet William flower is known by several other names like China Carnation and Bearded Pink. This flower has quite a few symbolic references.

Most of the flowers are associated with the feminine gender due to their fragility and sweet scent. The Sweet William flower is one of the very few exceptions that are associated with masculinity. It is believed that since this flower was named after Prince William who was a brave warrior, this flower became the symbol of courage and bravery.

King Henry VIII who was born on June 28, 1491, and died on Jan 28, 1547, ordered this flower be planted at his castle. This castle was located in Campton Court, and ever since this flower is associated with gallantry and bravery.

Poets have written ballads on this beautiful flower. he English poet John Gray wrote, “Sweet William’s Farewell to Black-ey’d Susan: A Ballad.” Even William Shakespeare wrote about this flower: “for checking gardens as well as personal adornments.”

In recent years, the Sweet William flower was included in Kate Middleton’s bridal bouquet as she was marrying Prince William. Since this flower was named after Prince William Augustus, it was symbolic in their wedding.

What do the various colors of the Sweet William flower mean?

Sweet William flower meaning is different for different people. The wild plants produce dark red or maroon flowers with white edges; however, you can find them in other colors like white, pink, scarlet, crimson, purple and violet.

These flowers belong to the family of carnations or pink flowers' family. The name of the family is Caryophyllaceae. Sweet William is a herbaceous plant variety, which means that they do not have a strong woody stem.

It is believed that these flowers were cultivated for over a thousand years. Both the varieties of the biennial (which dies after two years) and perennial plants (which bloom year after year) were commonly grown in households in England for many centuries.

· Pink Sweet William

Pink Sweet Flower William meaning is close to the color pink which symbolizes love and passion. Some people believe that this flower was included in the wedding bouquet of Kate Middleton and Prince William not only for the similarity of name, but also to seal their love for eternity.

https://pixabay.com/photos/sweet-william-carnation-bloom-2329261/

· White Sweet William

White the color of purity and righteousness is followed even for White Sweet Williams. White Sweet Flower William meaning is symbolized by its rarity and strength. Many people in England still believe in carrying white Sweet Williams to the funeral of anyone who died in a war or in the battleground. Since this flower is associated with bravery, this is a common practice there.

https://pixabay.com/photos/sweet-william-carnation-dianthus-1418561/

· Scarlet Sweet William

Also known as 'Scarlet Fever' this is a rarer variety compared to the rest. This variety of Sweet William is perennial in characteristic compared to the rest which is biennial.

Due to its longevity, it is preferred by many garden owners now. The wave of these flowers is also known as ‘’Heart attack’’ due to the dark scarlet color. Due to the similarity with blood, this sweet William flower meaning is associated with vitality and is gifted to someone who is unwell or hospitalized.

Crimson Sweet William is a self-seeing plant and this plant does not require regular maintenance and upkeep. Hence many gardeners prefer to grow it as mass planting is possible and they attract bees and insects. Hence if you are growing a natural garden, then you can devote a small piece of land to this variety for the benefit of other plants in your garden.

https://pixabay.com/photos/sweet-william-inflorescences-flowers-142423/

Crimson Sweet William

Crimson Sweet William flowers have white eyes and they look very beautiful of decorated in large board rooms or marriage and party halls. Due to the bright red color, they are extremely eye-catching. The flat-top frilly flowers are velvety to touch and add a royal touch to any decor.

They are normally used for decoration purposes and signify the valor and grace associated with the color red. They are used in wedding bouquets as red is the color of passion and love. A dull room suddenly becomes bright if a bouquet of crimson Sweet Williams is placed there.

https://pixabay.com/photos/sweet-william-carnations-flowering-5264117/

· Purple and Violet Sweet William

Purple Sweet Williams are rare in single color-tone. They are available in bicolored varieties with white rimming. Violet or mauve-colored ones look very soothing and are used for some exotic kind of decorations like in board rooms and other places of business.

Since bright colors like red, crimson, scarlet, and orange are not preferred in business establishment buildings, purple and violet colors became quite popular in the last few years. Purple is a royal color and it represents royalty and grandeur.

https://pixabay.com/photos/sweet-william-flowers-pink-nature-777665/

People with very refined tastes who prefer to look beyond roses, lilies, and jasmine go for this variety of flowers. Sweet William flower meaning for purple color is closely associated with money and success.

Since they bloom during the spring and summer months which are ideal for weddings, there is a demand for them to decorate wedding reception venues too. This demand saw an upward trend in the last decade when people started looking for different things are started looking for options that are unique.

https://pixabay.com/photos/flower-pink-flower-sweet-william-3493432/

· Bicolored varieties

You will find these flowers in bicolored varieties too. White-rimmed and red is the common one and purple flower with a white border too is cultivated. The colorful flowers represent the zest for life and often are included in multi-colored bouquets which have multiple types of flowers. These varieties do not have any particular meaning and are used to decorate marriage halls and other large areas where functions or gatherings are held.

https://pixabay.com/photos/sweet-william-flower-blossom-bloom-5201391/

Interesting facts and characteristics of the Sweet William flower

1. Perennial plant variety-

Sweet William grows in two kinds of varieties, perennial plant variety where it blooms for many years and does not die after one year like the annuals. They grow from spring through late summer and die during autumn and winters.

2. Biennial plant variety-

These plants are very short-lived and fall under the category of Biennial variety. They bloom in their second year, and then die, however since they produce nectar, bees, and butterflies, are attracted to it. And pollination happens easily, and you can grow them year on your in your garden.

3. It is edible-

These flowers have a spicy smell which is very similar to cloves. Hence this flower is edible and is believed to have medicinal properties too. They are specially grown in greenhouses because of their spicy aroma. In France and Spain, wineries use these flowers for flavoring their wines.

Many recipes and loaves of bread are made out of this flower. There are pieces of bread that use this flower to create that bitter-sweet essence. It is used in the garnishing of salads and fruit platters.

4. Medicinal properties-

Chinese medicines use the flower or the stem for preparing medicines that treat urinary difficulties. Due to its diuretic properties, it helps the patients to pass more urine. Patients who are suffering from problems in passing urine, kidney stones should use Sweet William flowers in their diet too.

In Western herbal medicine, the entire plant is crushed and converted into a bitter tonic. That tonic is used to treat digestion, acidity-related problems, and urinary tract and bladder-related problems too.

Its anti-bacterial properties have made its way to the world of creams and lotions and some companies use the flower and plant extracts for the same.

Due to its hemostatic properties, it helps in preventing blood loss. The raw petals can be put on a wound and it helps to stop bleeding in any minor wound. It is used in anti-septic creams made for this purpose. Due to its antiphlogistic properties, it stops inflammation. It is used in many herbal products for skin allergies and burns.

5. Usage in beauty products and perfumes

Extracts of Sweet William are used to produce essential oil, which is used to manufacture perfumes, soaps, bathing gels, moisturizers, creams, body lotions, and other beauty products. This flower has anti-inflammatory effects and hence is used to create products that are used for facial, spa therapies etc.

The flowers and stems are dried and used as ingredients to stop hair loss. They are used in shampoos and hair serums in Europe and other parts of the world. The essential oil is even used in aromatherapy products.

It has been observed that the flowers are dried and used as potpourri due to the faint aroma which it has. The dried flowers are used to create decorative pieces for home decor and other art and craft needs.

Best time to gift someone Sweet William flowers

Since the Sweet William flower represents bravery and courage, the best time to gift these flowers will be when someone has achieved something big. For example, a Nobel laureate, Pulitzer prize winner etc. can be shown respect with these flowers. If an army man comes after fighting a war, these flowers can be used to welcome him.

If someone has won a medal for gallantry, civilian gallantry, etc. even then these flowers can be presented to them. These flowers represent perfection and precision.

This flower has a history which dates back to Greek and Roman era and it was used to decorate the buildings of importance. This flower was also woven into garlands which were used to show respect to important and prominent people.

To wrap it up, Sweet Williams is a lovely flower that makes your living room look gorgeous. It is a great gifting option and can be grown easily at home. It is not a very high-maintenance plant and hence you can think of getting the seeds of it. They are readily available online or in any nursery.

Keyword

sweet William flower meaning

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianthus_barbatus

https://www.allthatgrows.in/blogs/posts/growing-sweet-william-blossoms-an-edible-and-ornamental-flower-to-grow-at-home#:~:text=The%20plant%20variety%20is%20easy,bees%2C%20moths%2C%20and%20butterflies.

http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Sweet%20William.html#:~:text=Sweet%20William%20flowers%20attracts%20birds,William%20Augustus%2C%20Duke%20of%20Cumberland.

https://www.cambridge.org/core_title/gb/427602

https://symbolsage.com/sweet-william-meaning-and-symbolism/