How to prune sweet william

Deadhead throughout flowering (late spring to early summer); cut back after the first flush fades. Snip faded flower heads back to the nearest side shoot or leaf node. For a second flush on perennial types, cut the entire plant back by one-third immediately after the first flowering.

Every few days during flowering; one hard cut-back after primary bloom. Sweet William benefits from deadheading to extend the flowering display and, for biennial forms, to prevent self-seeding where not wanted. Cut spent flower clusters back to the next lateral bud or leaf. Hard cutting after the first flush can sometimes encourage a second bloom. Remove plants after flowering if grown as biennials.

Snip faded flower heads back to the nearest side shoot or leaf node. For a second flush on perennial types, cut the entire plant back by one-third immediately after the first flowering.