Japanese name: バージニアストック Scientific name:Malcolmia maritima
[Overview]
A bushy annual or biennial 15–30 cm tall.
The leaves are simple, alternate, elliptic and entire.
Racemes at the stem tips bear 4-petaled flowers about 2 cm across, in a range of colors including pink, purple and white.
The flowers are slightly fragrant.
The fruit is a silique.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It dislikes transplanting, so sow directly or sow in pots and plant out early.
As long as the site is sunny and well drained, it is not very particular about soil.
Take care not to let the soil become too wet; for potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
It prefers poor soil, so go light on fertilizer; none is particularly needed for plants in the ground, but potted plants may be given diluted liquid fertilizer during the flowering period.
Pests and diseases include gray mold and aphids.
