Narrow-leaved
versions of the Dianthus barbatus were called
Sweet Johns and the broad-leaved Sweet Williams. The
Sweet William was also historically known as Jove's
flower, London pride, tolmeiners and London tufts.
Sweet
Williams were particularly suited to town gardens -
they were easily grown and always gave delight. They
could be grown from seeds or cuttings (cuttings generally
taken only for the double-flowered varieties, or singles
which you needed to be certain to get precisely the
same flower again). Seeds could be sown directly into
the border, but Hibberd wrote that the best way was
to sow them on a bed of fine soil in a frame
in a sunny position in April or May. From there they
could be moved to a sunny border, and then transplanted
on yet again (Victorians appeared to enjoy double the
work!) in September.
Sweet
Williams liked rich soil and water in dry weather.
Seeds
should not be allowed to ripen (unless you particularly
needed them) as that often proved fatal to them.
