Matthiola longipetala 'Starlight Scentsation'

Matthiola longipetala, commonly known as Evening or Night Scented Stock, is a modest little annual with an unforgettable trick up its sleeve. By day, it’s a rather unassuming plant, narrow grey-green leaves, loose habit, and small, pale mauve to lilac flowers that might not catch your eye at first glance. But come evening, as the sun dips and the air cools, it releases a heady, sweet fragrance that fills the garden with old-world charm.

The scent has been compared to vanilla, rose, spice and even cloves it is a favourite in cottage gardens or near patios and windows where its scent can be properly appreciated. Once you experience it in your own garden it will become a summer fragrance you will never want to be without. Native to the eastern Mediterranean, it thrives in a position with well-drained soil and full sun.
Matthiola 'Starlight Scentsation is a new variety that blooms in an exciting mixture of pastel colours. The plants flower rapidly from seed, providing quick results and adding vibrant colour to your garden in no time. Their compact, bushy habit makes them perfect for beds, borders, and containers, and they also make a lovely cut flower for bouquets.
Matthiola is one of the easiest and rewarding scented plants to grow from seed, often scattered directly where it’s to flower, and best enjoyed en masse for maximum scent.

Sowing: Sow in Spring - February to May
Cover with a thin layer of well drained compost or vermiculite.
The compost should be kept moist but not wet at all times. Germination 7 to 14 days

Sow in pots or directly where they are to flower. Position plants around seating areas and along paths in the garden so their scent can be enjoyed in the evenings
A sunny situation should be chosen, which should be prepared as soon as possible, making sure that drainage is good. For a continuous show, you may wish to plant stagger the sowing dates.
Ideal germination temperatures are around 21°C (70°F) so the seed may be sown early into pots and placed indoors early in the year. Otherwise, wait until temperatures warm a little before sowing directly into a prepare bed

Direct Sowing:
Sow thinly, 6mm (1/4in) deep in small clumps or shallow drills. Sow 30cm (12in) apart in well-cultivated soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Water ground regularly, especially in dry periods.
When large enough to handle, thin out seedlings until they are finally 30cm (12in) apart in spring. Light spring frosts will not harm the plants.

Cultivation:
Flowers should be removed as soon as they have faded to promote the growth of further blooms. Never over water, but do not let the soil dry out. Preventive measures should be taken against aphids.
Cut flowers will last 8 to 10 days in water. Cut when flowers are half-open; recut stems underwater.

Plant Uses:
Cut Flowers, Flowers Borders and Beds, Patio and Container Plants.

Nomenclature:
Named for the 16th century Italian naturalist and physician, Pietro Andrea Matthioli (1500 to 1577) who first identified Matthiola incana. Imported into England immediately after its discovery and identification. It was bred extensively and soon became a favourite in English gardens.
Gerard wrote, "...a pleasant purple colour, and the others white...we have some that beare double floures, which are of divers colours, greatly esteemed for the beautie of their floures, and pleasant sweet smell."
Matthiola longipetala was formerly known as Matthiola bicornis can still occasionally be found as Matthiola longipetala subsp. bicornis. Taxonomists took a closer look and, after a bit of Latin wrangling, decided Matthiola longipetala had priority and better described the plant’s characteristics.
The species name longipetala is descriptive and simply means long petals.

History:
Stocks, sea stocks, wallflowers and wall-gillyflowers are old English names for a confusing mix of crucifers, plants now classified in the Brassicaceae, the mustard family. Gillyflower or gillofloure, as John Gerard spelled it in 1597, also referred to pinks and sweet Williams.
Today, stock is the vernacular for species of Matthiola and in particular, Matthiola incana

Gerard had little respect for the medicinal use of stock. "...they are not used...except by Empericks (empirics, practicing medicine by intuition or experience) and Quacksalvers (vain pretenders to medical skill), about love and lust matters, which for modestie I omit."