Felicity Lavander

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

Order

Brassicales

Genus

Matthiola

Species

incana

Description

A biennial or perennial ornamental herbaceous plant native to the coastal regions of the Mediterranean, with compact growth and an erect habit. The abundant and showy flowering is shown by flowers gathered in spikes with a wide range of colours and a sweet-smelling fragrance, also appreciated by useful insects such as butterflies. Easy to grow, it is appreciated for decorating flowerbeds and borders as well as terraces, balconies and window sills in tubs and planters, even in arrangements with other ornamentals. The flower stems of some varieties can be cut off and used to create fresh compositions.

Varietal description

Ideal plant for use in flowerbeds or tubs and as a border. Plant with a long flowering period and excellent colour assortment in the series. Interesting for its intense scent.

curiosity and special features

The generic term Matthiola was given in honour of the Italian physician and botanist P. A. Mattioli while the specific epithet derives from the Latin canus or white in reference to the thick whitish hairiness that characterises the wild species.

Some varieties of Violaceae are used to obtain extracts with medicinal properties and homeopathic preparations.

Origin and Diffusion

The wild Species, native to southern Europe and some regions of central Asia and South Africa, is now naturalised in the western part of the Mediterranean where it grows spontaneously on mainly calcareous Soil/medium soils, at coastlines and sea cliffs or on old stone walls; from it derive the modern hybrids that have spread since the early 18th century and are characterised by fragrant Inflorescences with variable, bright colours.

Flower size

The flower is singularly small, clustered in a dense terminal spike of high decorative value.

Leaf

Leaf has a lanceolate lamina.

Flowering period

The flowering period lasts from early spring to early autumn for between 90 and 120 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence spike.

Leaf color

Solid colours.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.25 m, ideal as a first or second level plant in composition with other species of different development in order to create harmonious, floating views.

Lifespan

Biennial plant.

Suggested planting locations

Its persistence and continuity in flowering make it ideal, even in compositions with other ornamentals, to add colour to outdoor spaces and contexts such as flowerbeds, balconies, borders, tubs

Stem/stem

The stem is herbaceous, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is semi-double, small in size, with a bell-shaped corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in medium-sized spike-like inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 90 and 120 days. It is sweet-scented, with a sharp aroma. It is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Growth

It shows a compact Growth ideal for creating visually formal and balanced overall effects.

Plant habit

Characteristic plant habit visually reinforced by the spike-like Inflorescence.

branching

Medium branching gives it a pleasant decorative appearance.

pH

It prefers a Soil/medium pH ranging from sub-acidic to neutral, between 5.8 and 7.0.

soil preparation

Before transplanting into the garden in early spring, carry out 20/30 cm deep digging, removing any weeds, previous crop residues and bulky stones. Add professional quality substrate on the surface for about 5/10 cm and carefully level the planting furrows according to a suitable density.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

sun exposure

Full sun exposure is recommended for best growth and flowering results.

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature is between 5 and 30 °C. The ideal temperature is between 10 and 20 °C; it is therefore suitable for temperate climates.

Use

For its elegant and pleasantly fragrant flowers, it is appreciated as a plant in
Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Characterised by medium rusticity, it is very versatile in both flowerbeds and planters.

Soil/medium

Medium-textured, well-draining soil is preferred; for use in pots and planters, a substrate for spring plants based on peat and perlite is recommended.

Maintenance

Easy to maintain, the level of management effort is low, adding value to the plant.

cultivation tips

For optimal growth and lush flowering, it is recommended to

Expose the plant to maximum light

Composition

It can be used in compositions with other ornamental species such as Antirrhinum majus, Stipa, to create proportionate overall compositions with balanced colour tones.

planting

For bed planting, an average density of 15 plants per square metre is recommended in order to achieve proper development of each specimen and a well-proportioned final composition.

Reproduction/Propagation

Reproduction/Propagation is by sowing.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, or alternatively aqueduct water, manually or by means of an irrigation system, taking care to keep the soil or substrate moist, even during the transplanting phase, but avoiding water stagnation, which can cause the development of fungal diseases with subsequent root rot and plant decay, while at the same time preventing water stress and dryness to avoid yellowing of the aerial part.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilization

After proper establishment in the new planting site, regularly apply a specific fertiliser for ornamentals to the soil or substrate, to be distributed in liquid form, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pet friendly

Ingestion toxicity not known, avoid administration.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Human toxicity

May cause contact irritation in some individuals, also do not ingest.

advise 1

Never run out of water and, above all, always keep the plants heavily fertilised.