Matthiola longipetala (Vent.) DC.
Night scented stock
Night-scented stock is a slender annual of the cabbage family, grown above all for its powerful evening perfume. By day the small, four-petalled flowers, in muted shades of lilac, pink and dusky purple, can look rather unremarkable and often stay half-closed, but as dusk falls they open more fully and release a rich, sweet scent that carries on still air.
About
Night-scented stock is a slender annual of the cabbage family, grown above all for its powerful evening perfume. By day the small, four-petalled flowers, in muted shades of lilac, pink and dusky purple, can look rather unremarkable and often stay half-closed, but as dusk falls they open more fully and release a rich, sweet scent that carries on still air. It is native to the Mediterranean region and south-western Asia.
Easy from a direct sowing, it does best in full sun on light, free-draining soil and is happy in poorer ground. Flowering through summer, its night-time fragrance and open blooms are attractive to moths and other dusk-flying pollinators. Because the daytime display is modest, it is best sown among showier plants, beside seating, paths and doorways, or under open windows, where its evening scent can be enjoyed. It is a cultivated garden annual rather than a British wildflower.
Also known as
Night-scented Stock · evening stock · evening-scent stock · night-scent stock · perfumeplant · two-horn stock
Synonyms
Cheiranthus longipetalus · Cheiranthus tristis · Hesperis aspera · Matthiola aspera · Matthiola aspera aspera · Matthiola aspera leiocarpa · Matthiola livida leiocarpa · Matthiola longipetala aspera · Matthiola longipetala longipetala
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.