Matthiola incana
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ma-the-OH-luh in-KAY-nuh
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Matthiola
- Species:
- incana
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Spain to Greece
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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).
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
