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Flower Days
"All in the downs the fleet was moored, banners waving in the wind.
When Black-eyed Susan came aboard, and eyed the burly men.
‘Tell me ye sailors, tell me true, if my Sweet William sails with you.’
~ Black Eyed Susan, John Gay, 1720
April showers have brought forth May flowers, and among them, the delicate Sweet Williams are in full bloom. These old-fashioned dianthus flowers often share garden space with cheerful Black-eyed Susans, creating a nostalgic and romantic tableau. Their pairing finds a literary echo in the 18th-century ballad Black-Eyed Susan by John Gay. In this poignant poem, a young maiden named Susan boards a ship in the harbor to bid a heartfelt farewell to her beloved William. As his ship prepares to sail to distant and dangerous shores, they pledge their unwavering love. But duty calls, and the captain urges her to depart. William’s final image is of Susan, waving from a small boat as she’s rowed back to land, a vision of love and sorrow drifting away.
In the Victorian language of flowers, Sweet William symbolizes gallantry—fitting for the loyal sailor in Gay’s poem. These blooms are not only rich in sentiment but also practical: they are edible and beloved by bees, birds, and butterflies alike. Their charm, both poetic and botanical, continues to grace spring gardens with a sense of enduring romance. ❤️ 💗 🤎 🤍 🌸 🌸 🌸 🦋
By designer Carol A.L. Martin, this tartan pays tributes to the beautiful colors in this favourite of old-fashioned garden flowers.
Sweet William is a form of dianthus barbatus, also more commonly known as carnations, or pinks.
Many legends purport to explain how Sweet William acquired its English common name, although none is verified.
The English botanist John Gerard referred to Dianthus barbatus as "Sweete Williams" in his garden catalogue of 1596. Some have speculated that the flower was named after Gerard's contemporary, William Shakespeare. It is also said to be named after Saint William of York or after William the Conqueror. Another etymological derivation is that William is a corruption of the French oillet, meaning "little eye".
Although some believe this flower to be named for William, Duke of Cumberland, this story is untrue and the result of confusion. The Duke's victory at the Battle of Culloden and his generally brutal treatment of the king's enemies, led to the noxious ragword being referred to as "stinking Billy", not the delicate and faintly scented Sweet William.
The name Sweet William occurs in several 17th century ballads, one of which also links the Black-eyed Susan flower to a common pairing in gardens. Click the flowers for a version of one of these many ballads.