Matthiola incana Wisley selection

RHS Plant Profile

stock Wisley selection

Synonyms

Matthiola incana Wisley Strain

Annual Biennial Conservatory Greenhouse

A tall perennial, to 1m, normally grown for greenhouse display. From an autumn sowing it produces overwintering rosettes of grey-green foliage, followed in spring by loosely-branched panicles of sweetly-scented, single or double pink flowers. Alternatively will flower in early summer from a spring sowing

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–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): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Matthiola can be annuals, perennials or subshrubs, with simple or lobed leaves and dense terminal racemes or panicles of fragrant, 4-petalled flowers
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a cool greenhouse, or in a sheltered, sunny position in well-drained soil outdoors. If sown in autumn, outdoor plants may need cloche protection. Otherwise sow in spring

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back the main spike once flowers have faded to encourage side shoots to flower too

Pests

Susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, slugs and snails, plus flea beetles and cabbage root fly outdoors

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews, grey moulds and root rots, and club root outdoors