Methiola - flowers, bred by the Italian physician P. Mattioli

Methiola - flowers so loved in our country by every owner of a dacha or homestead farm that no one knows that this sort of night violet was taken out by a doctor, as well as a great admirer of flowers and botanist from Italy P. Mattioli in the sixteenth century. Therefore, the common name we adopted is not entirely correct. In the catalogs the plant is listed as a matthiol.

In the past, methiola flowers grew mainly in Greek elite yards and in the gardens of Asia Minor. In our country, this unspoken plant was brought by the nobility to grow it at the gazebos solely for the sake of a fragrant scent. Over time, the flower of methiol has become truly popular. What there arbors, gardens and dachas! Today, the night violet exudes its fragrance in the cities, decorating loggias and balconies of apartments in high-rise buildings.

By its nature, methiola are flowers that bear the spring cold well. They are absolutely undemanding to the conditions of the habitat, grow on any soils, although on a light and fertile soil they develop much better and bloom more luxuriantly. It is noted that if the fertilizer used unripe organic components in the area where methiol is sown, the flowers must fall ill with a black leg. Also, do not fill the plant. The swamp near the root leads to its decay. Moderate watering is a condition that will enable it to resist diseases and pests.

As for the fragrance, it is the most delicate and abundant when the plant is planted in a sunny place. On a site where penumbra reigns, methiola also develops not bad, its flowers are magnificent and in the evening smell, spreading around itself wonderful smells. Only in densely shaded places it lies on the ground, its aroma is almost not felt.

The most common way of propagating this culture is by seeds. They can be sown under winter, but preferably in early spring. It is not necessary to close the embankment, not more than half a centimeter. In a week, the first shoots will appear. As soon as the third leaflet begins to develop, the matthiol needs to be planted, having cut the seedlings so that between them there was a distance of centimeters to fifteen or even twenty. It should be borne in mind that the flowers will appear only after two months. If you want to accelerate this time, you can grow seedlings in the greenhouse.

In the afternoon the flowers are closed, the night beauty is resting. And in the evening the purple little stars are gathered, collected in small inflorescences. And then they begin to exude the divine aroma of nectar. Enterprising Italians sow Mattioli in three receptions. First time in the early spring. The second time - in half a month, and the third - a month and a half. Thus, in the garden, the fragrance of the Mattiola never ceases. But in order to prolong the period of flowering, you need to pinch off the blossoming inflorescences, while capturing part of the stem. Such a simple technique will prolong the flowering season, which (with the above described agrotechnics) can last from June, and even from the end of May to October.

As the experience of growing, matthiol can perfectly winter without shelter right on the flower bed. This plant is a relative of cabbage, therefore it is afraid of the same pests.