Heirloom

Iron Rose Pink

Matthiola incana

Early single-stem, or column-type stock in a highly uniform series for one-cut harvest. Aptly named for strong, straight, rigid stems. Iron performed well in our spring, early summer, and fall trials. Selectable for doubles and 55% double without selection. Compared to Katz, Iron is slightly later to flower, and has somewhat shorter and thicker stems. Tightly spaced florets on the flower spike make for compact 1 1/2-2", deep rose-pink blooms with a full appearance. NOTE: This variety produces one flowering stem per plant. Pinching is not advisable as it will terminate flowering. Edible Flowers: The peppery, clove-like flavor of the flowers lends itself well to use as a garnish on salads, desserts, and drinks.

Harvest

90-105d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

6–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Iron Rose Pink in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Iron Rose Pink · Zones 6–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

WaterRegular

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorPeppery, clove-like flavor with aromatic spiced notes.

ColorDeep rose-pink

Size1 1/2-2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains.

Harvesting

Iron Rose Pink reaches harvest at 90 - 105 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 1/2-2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Seeds will ripen in August and September.

Harvest time: Fall

Storage & Preservation

Cut stems with blooms should be placed in a clean vase with cool water and kept at room temperature or refrigerated at 35-45°F to extend vase life 7-10 days. Change water every 2-3 days and trim stem ends. For preservation, air-dry by hanging bundles upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks for dried arrangements. Alternatively, press individual flowers between paper for 1-2 weeks to preserve flat specimens for crafts. For edible flowers, use fresh-cut blooms immediately or store stems in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

History & Origin

Iron Rose Pink is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: The Coast of Europe from Spain to Greece.

Advantages

+Strong, rigid stems ideal for professional cut flower arrangements and shipping
+Highly uniform single-stem plants ensure consistent quality for one-cut harvesting
+Tightly spaced florets create full, compact blooms with attractive deep rose-pink color
+Performs reliably across spring, early summer, and fall growing seasons
+Edible flowers with peppery, clove-like flavor add culinary versatility

Considerations

-Produces only one flowering stem per plant, limiting yield potential significantly
-Later to flower than Katz variety, extending time to marketable product
-Pinching terminates flowering, eliminating common technique for branching and secondary stems
-Shorter stems than some competitor varieties may limit design flexibility for tall arrangements

Companion Plants

Lavender and catmint are good neighbors for stock — both tolerate lean, well-drained soil and pull in pollinators without competing hard for water. Tagetes patula (French marigold) earns its spot by deterring aphids, which will find your Matthiola if given an opening. Alyssum fills low gaps and draws parasitic wasps that knock back soft-bodied pests. Keep Iron Rose Pink clear of black walnut entirely — juglone leaching from the roots can stunt or kill it, and large overhead trees add the dense shade and surface root competition that turns this full-sun annual into something floppy and half-hearted.

Plant Together

Lavender

Repels aphids, spider mites, and other pests while attracting beneficial pollinators

Marigolds

Natural pest deterrent against nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies

Garlic

Repels aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles that commonly attack roses

Chives

Deters aphids and may help prevent black spot disease on roses

Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on rose pests

Catmint

Repels aphids, ants, and rodents while attracting beneficial pollinators

Clematis

Provides vertical interest and shares similar soil and sunlight requirements

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects and provides ground cover without competing for nutrients

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits rose growth and can cause wilting

Large Trees

Compete for nutrients and water while creating excessive shade that roses need

Bittersweet

Aggressive vine that can overwhelm and strangle rose bushes

Troubleshooting Iron Rose Pink

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Gray fuzzy coating on stems and petals, usually during cool wet stretches

Likely Causes

Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) — thrives below 70°F with poor airflow and overhead watering
Crowded planting that traps humidity around the stems

What to Do

1.Remove and trash (don't compost) any affected stems or blooms immediately
2.Water at the base, not overhead, and do it early enough that foliage dries before evening
3.Space plants at least 10–12 inches apart to let air move through

Leaves turning yellow from the bottom up, plants look stunted despite regular watering

Likely Causes

Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) — soil-borne, more common in beds that have grown brassicas repeatedly
Waterlogged soil from poor drainage, which stresses roots and invites rot pathogens

What to Do

1.Pull affected plants; there's no chemical fix once Fusarium is established in the stem tissue
2.Improve drainage before the next planting — work in compost or coarse grit if your soil is heavy clay
3.Rotate out of the bed for at least 2 seasons, since Matthiola is a brassica relative and shares susceptibility to the same soil-borne strains

Flower buds forming but the whole planting produces only single-flowered (non-double) blooms

Likely Causes

Skipped cold treatment — Matthiola incana needs a cool period around 45–55°F for 7–10 days post-germination to trigger double-flower development
No seedling selection: doubles tend to show slightly paler, more yellow-green cotyledons compared to singles at the 2-leaf stage

What to Do

1.After germination, move trays to a cool spot (45–55°F) for 7–10 days before growing on at normal indoor temps
2.At the 4-leaf stage, cull the darkest-green seedlings — growers selecting for cut-flower production routinely discard those as likely singles
3.Source seed from a supplier that specifies high double-flower percentage; seed bred for the commercial cut-flower trade is your best bet

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Iron Rose Pink take to flower?▼

Iron Rose Pink typically takes 90-105 days from planting to harvest. This makes it a mid-season variety, slightly later to flower than some competing cultivars. Exact timing depends on temperature, light, and growing conditions during spring and summer months.

Is Iron Rose Pink good for beginners?▼

Yes, Iron Rose Pink is excellent for beginners. It's classified as an easy-to-grow variety that performs reliably across spring, early summer, and fall seasons. The uniform, column-type growth requires minimal maintenance—just avoid pinching, as this will stop flowering.

Can you grow Iron Rose Pink in containers?▼

Yes, Iron Rose Pink can be grown in containers. Use well-draining potting soil and ensure pots are at least 12 inches deep to accommodate the straight, rigid stems. Place containers in a location with 4-6+ hours of sun, and maintain consistent moisture for best results.

What do the flowers taste like and how are they used?▼

Iron Rose Pink flowers have a peppery, clove-like flavor profile. They work beautifully as edible garnishes on salads, desserts, and drinks. The flavor is distinctive and aromatic, adding both visual appeal and a subtle spiced note to culinary presentations.

How should I space Iron Rose Pink plants?▼

While exact spacing depends on your production goals, stock flowers are typically spaced 6-12 inches apart in rows or beds. Since this variety produces one flowering stem per plant with no pinching benefit, closer spacing is acceptable if harvesting single stems.

Why should I avoid pinching Iron Rose Pink?▼

Iron Rose Pink is a single-stem, column-type variety. Pinching removes the terminal growing point, which permanently terminates flowering and flowering stem development. Unlike bushy varieties that branch after pinching, this cultivar relies on one stem for harvest, making pinching counterproductive.