MATTHIOLA
Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)
Annuals, Perennials
From the Mediterranean region. Old-fashioned favorites,with narrow gray-green leaves and profuse, erect spikes of fragrant flowers. Best in cool weather.
Matthiola incanaValued for spicysweet perfume, cut flowers.
Oblong leaves to 4 in. long. Flowers are single or double, 1 in.wide, in colors including white, pink, red, purple, lavender, blue, yellow, and cream.
Stock needs light, fertile soil, and good drainage. In cold-winter areas, plant in earliest spring to get flowers before hot weather (choose early bloomers).
In mild-winter regions, plants set out in early fall will bloom in winter or early spring. Take moderate frost but will not set flower buds if nights are too chilly; late planting means no flowers until spring.
Where winter rainfall is heavy, plant in raised beds for good drainage.
Anchusa azurea
Native to the Mediterranean region. Anopen, spreading plant to 3–5 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide. Leaves gro...
Ageratum houstonianum
Native to Central America, West Indies. Easy-to-grow, dependable plants that bloom in summer and fall;...
Agastache rupestris
From southern Arizona, northern Mexico. To 1 1/2–2 1/2 ft. tall and 1 1/2 ft. wide, with narrow,...
Find Your Sunset Climate Zone
Advertisement
