Malcolmia maritima

RHS Plant Profile

Virginia stock

Dorling Kindersley 2003

Other common names

Mediterranean stock

Synonyms

Cheiranthus maritimus

Annual Biennial

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An upright annual to 40cm, with narrow, greyish-green leaves and spikes of very fragrant red, purple or white flowers from late spring to autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Malcolmia can be annuals or perennials, with narrow, simple or pinnately lobed leaves and short racemes of 4-petalled, purple or white flowers from spring to autumn
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: W Albania to W Greece

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, with some shade from midday sun. Sow seed early to ensure good flowering

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in succession from mid-spring onwards

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Gravel garden
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and flea beetles

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews