Night-scented stock

Matthiola longipetala

Diminutive Mediterranean annual with insignificant pale lilac four-petalled flowers that release one of the most exquisite evening fragrances of any garden plant — sweet, spicy, distinctively floral.

Hardiness ratings

Night-scented stock hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 2–10 −45.6 °C to 4.4 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
RHS hardiness rating H3 −5 °C to 1 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 2–9 −40 °C and warmer Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–6 −15 °C to 15 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating

As a tender annual, Night-scented stock doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.

Growing notes

  • Sow seed scattered around evening seating areas — flowers close during the day and open at dusk, releasing powerful sweet fragrance for several hours, then close again
  • The plant is visually undistinguished — sown solely for the evening scent
  • Self-seeds modestly where conditions suit
  • Reliably hardy from direct sown seed in cool temperate climates

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Night-scented stock against your zones

Reference

Night-scented stock on Wikipedia