About Matthiola longipetala (Vent.) DC.
Matthiola longipetala (Vent.) DC. is a member of the genus Matthiola that is native to Eurasia. This plant gives off a pleasant scent during the evening and through the night. Its flowers have four petals, range in color from purple to white, and are approximately 1 to 2 cm wide. This low-growing, highly branched plant normally reaches about 45 cm in length. During the heat of the day, its flowers look wilted. This species is primarily cultivated for its evening scent. It is cold-resistant, and grown across North America, growing well even as far as hardiness zone 1. As a hardy annual, it prefers cool conditions in full sun, and may not grow well at high temperatures. Planting thickly in clumps is recommended if a bushy appearance is desired. In Canada, the tiny seeds are usually sown in early spring after the last frost, and can also be started indoors in April. If watered regularly, the plants will bloom throughout early summer and continue blooming well into the rest of the summer. Overwatering should be avoided. They can also be grown in balcony containers, but they do not usually stand upright in this setting, and must not be allowed to become too hot and dry.
