Matthiola incana

Matthiola incana is a plant with great ornamental interest. Under mild climates, it forms a small bush carried by a small trunk, adorned with matte grey foliage and an abundant spring flowering with the scent of carnations. The flowers of the form we cultivate are white, but as we multiply it by sowing, some plants bear pink or purple flowers. They are endowed with a magnificent spicy fragrance. It is sometimes grown as a biennial in moist soil, despite its excellent hardiness. It is ideal for a garden without watering, or a large rockery, and for a patio or balcony.

Spontaneously growing in the extreme Southeast of Corsica, Matthiola incana is native to Mediterranean Europe and the Canary Islands, where it easily self-seeds among the rocks of the coast. This large woody-based perennial belongs to the Brassicaceae family, just like cabbage, rapeseed, and mustard. It has a rapid growth rate. Under similar cultivation conditions to its natural habitat, it will reach well over 1m (3ft) in all directions and develop a true small trunk and woody branches. In cooler environments, it forms a very beautiful bushy and spreading clump measuring 40 to 60cm (16 to 24in) in all directions. During mild winters, its foliage is evergreen. It is composed of narrow and long, hairy, greenish-grey leaves, with silvery reflections accentuated by heat and drought. Flowering takes place from April to June, depending on the climate. It is very abundant, remarkably fragrant, and popular with pollinating insects. The small single flowers with 4 petals are grouped in terminal clusters at the end of leafy stems. Matthiola incana has a taproot that should be carefully handled during transplantation.

In its simplest form, it is a very rewarding plant, with its abundant, highly scented flowering and its ability to grow without maintenance. Its only requirement is to be planted in the sun, in well-drained soil, even limestone and poor. It can be used in flower beds or rockeries, in the company of shrubby salvias, rosemary, lavender, cistus, shrubby euphorbias, and phlomis in a dry garden, or with columbines, bellflowers, perennial geraniums, or goat's rue in a cooler climate and soil. It also performs very well in pots, to brighten up a patio or the surroundings of the house.