Matthiola incana Heritage Scarlet

Matthiola incana 'Heritage Scarlet' stock offers early and long-lasting flowering, from spring to summer, with deep red double flowers and a wonderful carnation fragrance. When grown in the ground, it will produce several slender spikes, while in a pot, it will produce a single, denser and more compact spike. This biennial is ideal for adding fragrance and romance to bouquets, flower beds, patios, and balconies. It thrives in the sun, in moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil.

Matthiola incana is a fully hardy annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial plant, native to the Mediterranean Basin and the Canary Islands, where it often grows on rocks along the coast. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family, like cabbage, mustard, and rapeseed. It has given rise to numerous cultivars with single or double flowers that are fragrant and floriferous, and are highly prized in the garden.

'Heritage Scarlet' is part of a series chosen for its double and fragrant flowers, which are abundant from early spring to late summer. Upright and bushy, this fast-growing stock will reach a height of 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) when in flower in a pot, and slightly taller when grown in the ground, depending on its cultivation method. It has lanceolate grey-green leaves and displays long spikes of deep red double flowers with pink nuances, which emit a powerful, sweet and spicy fragrance that is reminiscent of cloves. Curiously, when this plant is grown in a pot, it only produces one spike at a time, but it is much more compact and shorter. Matthiola incana has a taproot that should be carefully handled during transplantation.

They can be grown in partial shade or full sunlight, in rich, moist but well-drained soil. These plants are wonderfully adapted to limestone soils and can tolerate sea spray. Plant them close to doorways or paths to fully enjoy their warm and spicy fragrance. Try mixing it with other varieties from the Heritage series to create a perfect blend of magnificent flowers and unique fragrances. Its grey-green foliage will contrast beautifully in flower beds with Heuchera 'Sugar Plum', which has silver foliage veined with purple.

Please be aware that our plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, transplant them as soon as possible, either in pots and containers, or directly in flower beds.