Sweet William Auricula Eyed Mix produces a cheerful spread of blooms in a wide range of rich colours, each with a distinctive central “eye” that gives the flowers their name. A classic cottage garden favourite, this hardy biennial is easy to grow and looks great in borders or edging paths. The strong stems and dense heads of colour also make it an excellent choice for cutting.
🌸 Flowering: June to September
📏 Height: to 45cm
🌿Biennial
SOW: from May to July, either thinly in a well-prepared seed bed outdoors, or in seed trays under cover (a cold frame works well). Keep the soil or compost damp until germination. If sowing in trays, prick out seedlings into individual pots once they’re big enough to handle.
GROW: transplant young plants to their final position in autumn, spacing them about 25–30cm apart. They’ll establish over winter and flower the following spring. Sweet Williams like sun and well-drained soil — perfect for a border or cut flower patch.
ENJOY: the vibrant flowers are loved by butterflies and moths, and they last well in a vase too. Feeling adventurous? The mildly flavoured petals are edible and can add a decorative touch to salads, cakes, desserts or even cold summer drinks.
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