Overview

Matthiola longipetala is a bushy annual biennial in the genus Matthiola, part of the Brassicaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Matthiola longipetala grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds.

About

Matthiola longipetala, commonly known as night-scented stock, is a bushy annual or biennial from the Brassicaceae family. It features deciduous foliage and thrives in full sun on south- or west-facing, sheltered aspects. This cultivar prefers moist but well-drained loam soil with a neutral pH and is hardy to UK zone H4. It is well suited to cottage and informal gardens, wildlife gardens, and flower borders or beds. Flowers appear in summer and autumn, and propagation is by seed sown in situ in spring, with successive sowings for continuous bloom.

About the genus

Matthiola is a genus of flowering plant in the mustard family Brassicaceae. It is named after Italian naturalist Pietro Andrea Mattioli (1501–1577). The genus contains about 50 species of annual, biennial and perennial herbaceous plants and subshrubs.

Wikipedia contributors, "Matthiola", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Matthiola

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Matthiola

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Matthiola longipetala size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Annual Biennial

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Matthiola longipetala

Propagation

Seed sown in situ in spring, and repeated later for a succession of flowers

Pest resistance

Aphids, Slugs and snails

Disease resistance

Club root, Downy mildews, Root rot, Virus

Frequently asked questions