sweet williams

My sweet williams are looking rather straggly, they have flowered well this year and I wanted to know if they can be transplanted in the autumn or as thay are so messy, do I need to renew them in the autumn.

Re: sweet williams

Reply from Kathy C

Hi, Annie,
Sweet William, though perennial, are usually treated as annuals because they are tender, and tend to be short-lived. Since they are straggly, make sure they are deadheaded and try cutting them back to a node (growing point) and putting them in a sheltered, sunny spot. Not sure where you live, but if you have mild winters, they might survive and come back nicely next year.
Kathy C

Re: sweet williams

Reply from Jude, Kent

Hi Annie
Mine came through last winter in Kent - not the coldest part of the country but I'm in a frost pocket. If your garden is reasonably mild you can move them now; otherwise wait till spring. Either way, cut back the old flowered stems and they'll look much better. You may find they've seeded themselves though you might not see anything till spring.