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Matthiola incana

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ma-the-OH-luh in-KAY-nuh
Description

A low-maintenance cool-season herbaceous biennial or perennial in the Brassicaceae family.  They grow easily from seed and can be sow directly outdoors or started 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.  Sow seeds in several two-week intervals to prolong bloom time. They are upright plants with oblong hairy grey-green leaves. The flowers have a clove-like fragrance so plant in areas where the scent can be enjoyed. Best used as an annual in the south. 

Plants begin to decline in the summer when temperatures are above 80 F.   These plants also suffer from hot night-time conditions.

There are no serious insect or disease problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#low maintenance#deer resistant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#low maintenance#deer resistant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Matthiola
    Species:
    incana
    Family:
    Brassicaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Spain to Greece
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are singles or doubles and appear as terminal racemes and come in many colors, cream, white, lavender purple, and pink.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Sinuate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Hairy, gray-green leaves (to 4” long).
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer