Mignonette 'Ameliorata'

Mignonette Ameliorata (Reseda odorata)

Mignonette Ameliorata, is a fragrant heirloom filler prized in cottage gardens and floral arrangements. This charming, old-fashioned bloom is highly scented and especially attractive to small pollinators like native bees. The long-blooming plants produce delicate, spire-like flowers that make beautiful cut or dried additions to bouquets—retaining their perfume even after drying.

Grow Mignonette in full sun to enhance its rich, sweet scent. It thrives in beds, borders, and containers, and pairs beautifully with old-world flowers like sweet peas and scabiosa. A true garden classic. Use fresh or dried in bouquets.

DETAILS:

QTY: 150

TYPE: Annual

SITE: Full Sun/Part Shade

DEPTH: Surface - lightly press into soil

GERMINATION: 7-12 days at 21-22°C

HEIGHT: 18 - 20"

MATURITY: 65 - 80 Days

SPACING: 6-9"

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:
Transplant (recommended): Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your last expected frost date. Sow on the surface of the soil or lightly cover just enough to keep seeds in place, as light aids germination. Do not bury deeply. Keep the soil evenly moist by misting or bottom watering to avoid disturbing the seeds. Once seedlings are well established, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before transplanting outdoors after the risk of frost has passed.

Direct Sowing (alternative): Direct sowing is also possible after the last frost. Transplanting offers more control over spacing and early growth.

Pinching: No pinching is necessary, as Mignonette naturally forms a compact shape.

Soil Preference and Watering: Mignonette prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline pH and grows well in full sun to partial shade. Its highly fragrant blooms are most aromatic when grown in full sun. It requires well-drained, consistently moist soil.

Fertilizing: Mignonette is not a heavy feeder. A single application of a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer at the time of planting is typically sufficient.

Harvesting: The fragrant blooms of Mignonette are the main attraction. For bouquets, harvest stems when the flowers have begun to open and emit their characteristic sweet scent.