Matthiola

These perennial, annual and biennial plants come from Europe and Asia Minor. They grow in erect, neat clumps; the dwarfs are 8 to 12 inches high and the standards, 2 to 2� feet high. The leaves are gray green, oblong to oblanceolate and up to 4 inches long. They produce tons of pretty, fragrant flowers, which may be single or double and up to an inch across. They grow in terminal racemes and may be colored pink, red, purple, or white. Picking off the dead flowers will increase their blooms. They are great for planting in pots in the greenhouse to flower during the winter and spring and are lovely as cut flowers.

Pot Cultivation

They will live in well drained moist soil. They need sun half the day or more.

Propagation

Seeds may be sown inside, 6 to 8 weeks before frost free weather, in a temperature of 70 degrees. Seeds can also be started outside where they are to grow when the soil is warm.

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