Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)

Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) sits at the tip of a spherical, spiky bud head in the frame. Deep magenta petals with pale, star-shaped centers contrast against a soft, out-of-focus background of foliage; the light is even and slightly cool and the shallow focus keeps the central head sharp. A few white stamens and tiny pollen grains are visible in the open faces of the petals.