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Matthiola incana (HARMONY SERIES)

Image of Matthiola incana (HARMONY SERIES)

Jessie Keith

Family

Brassicaceae

Botanical Name

Matthiola incana( HARMONY SERIES)

Plant Common Name

Common Stock

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

The sweetly fragrant flowers of the short, cool season bedding plants in the Harmony Series are as beautiful as they are aromatic. Though often grown as annuals, stocks are actually semi-woody short-lived perennials. They are coastal natives, distributed from Spain to Egypt, so they are adapted to high winds and salt exposure.

From late spring to summer in cool summer regions, Harmony Series stock produces short branches lined with spicy flowers that may be pink rose, purple, violet, cerise or white. Typically the flowers are four-petaled, but about one-half of the plants in the series will have double blossoms (extra petal rows). These appear against clumps of smooth deep gray-green foliage. Plants with serrated leaf edges usually produce double flowers.

Full to partial sun and perfectly drained, but evenly moist, slightly alkaline soil are required to keep plants happy and healthy. Grow the Harmony Series where summers are not scorching and in mild winter regions consider their use best for fall to spring. They make fine additions to any mixed border, cottage garden or container. Although they make good cutflowers, the short stems of plants in this series makes them best for outdoor garden color.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    8"-12" / 20.3cm - 30.5cm

  • Width

    6"-9" / 15.2cm - 22.9cm

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall

  • Native To

    Southern Europe, Western Europe, Mediterranean, Turkey, Northern Africa

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Purple, Pink, Hot Pink, Rose, Violet

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Gray Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Gray Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Gray Green, Dark Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single, Double

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No