Mignonette ‘Garden Mignonette’
Reseda odorata
Description
A rich history surrounds this relatively unknown flower. Legend has it that Napoleon sent mignonette seeds from Egypt to France for his darling Empress Josephine in the early 1800s. Long, wispy stems are capped with creamy white flowers that have delicate orange centers and smell like vanilla. Flowers fade, leaving behind lantern-like green pods. A great textural ingredient for bouquets and a favorite with pollinators, mignonette is suited for the border as well as containers.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 60 to 70 days
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 60 to 70 days
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Succession plant every 2 weeks for continual harvest.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest when the bottom one-third of the flowers on a spire open, or let them bloom and pick after the seedpods mature. Stems are delicate and must be picked with care. Expect a vase life of 5 to 7 days.
Details
Description
A rich history surrounds this relatively unknown flower. Legend has it that Napoleon sent mignonette seeds from Egypt to France for his darling Empress Josephine in the early 1800s. Long, wispy stems are capped with creamy white flowers that have delicate orange centers and smell like vanilla. Flowers fade, leaving behind lantern-like green pods. A great textural ingredient for bouquets and a favorite with pollinators, mignonette is suited for the border as well as containers.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 60 to 70 days
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 60 to 70 days
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Succession plant every 2 weeks for continual harvest.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest when the bottom one-third of the flowers on a spire open, or let them bloom and pick after the seedpods mature. Stems are delicate and must be picked with care. Expect a vase life of 5 to 7 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Winter Mini Course: Seed-Starting 101
Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series
In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.
