Heirloom

Katz Apricot

Matthiola incana

Wikimedia Commons via Matthiola incana

Long stems with 1 1/2-2", light peach blooms. Early blooming one-cut series. Performed well in our spring, early summer, and fall trials. Good uniformity in bloom time and stem length. 55-60% double-flowering without selection; some selection possible. 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

90-100d

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 Katz Apricot in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Katz Apricot · Zones 6–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorPeppery, clove-like flavor with subtle floral notes

ColorLight peach

Size1 1/2-2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
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	—
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	—

Succession Planting

Katz Apricot stock blooms once per plant and doesn't rebound after cutback, but you can stretch your harvest window with staggered sowings. Start the first batch indoors in February or March — 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date — then make a second sowing 3 to 4 weeks behind it. Transplant out in April to May once frost risk passes. A direct-sow round in late April or May follows the transplants into the ground and pushes the harvest window later into summer.

Stop sowing once daytime highs are consistently hitting 80–85°F. Heat causes stock to bolt fast and flower quality drops sharply — the spikes get shorter and the scent fades. In cooler climates or spots with light afternoon shade, a late-summer sowing for fall bloom is possible, but in zones 8–10 that window is narrow and not always worth the effort.

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

Katz Apricot reaches harvest at 90 - 100 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

Katz Apricot flowers are best stored fresh in a cool environment. Keep cut stems in a vase with fresh water at room temperature (65-70°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruits, which release ethylene gas. Flowers typically last 5-7 days in water. For preservation, hang-dry bundles in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space for 1-2 weeks to create dried flowers for arrangements. Alternatively, freeze individual petals in ice cube trays with water for later cocktail or dessert garnish use. Candying the petals with egg white and sugar preserves them for 2-3 weeks in an airtight container.

History & Origin

Katz Apricot 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

+Light peach blooms provide elegant, soft color for spring and fall arrangements
+Consistent uniformity in bloom timing and stem length ensures reliable commercial production
+One-cut series minimizes labor with single flowering stem per plant requiring no pinching
+Edible flowers with peppery, clove-like flavor add culinary versatility beyond floristry
+Early blooming characteristic allows multiple plantings per growing season in suitable climates

Considerations

-Single stem per plant limits yield compared to pinchable varieties with multiple flowers
-No pinching capability means lost productivity if early flowering stems are damaged
-90-100 day timeline requires careful season planning to hit market windows
-Double-flowering rate of 55-60% without selection creates inconsistency in final product appearance

Companion Plants

Lavender and chives are probably the most useful companions for Katz Apricot stock. Both attract predatory wasps and hoverflies — insects that prey on the aphids (green peach aphid, Myzus persicae) that target Matthiola's soft new growth. NC State Extension notes chives as an aphid deterrent when planted in dense clusters near susceptible crops. Marigolds, particularly Tagetes patula, release thiophene compounds from their roots that suppress certain soil nematodes, and their scent may disrupt incoming pest pressure. Plant them within 12 inches of your stock rows — one marigold sitting 4 feet away isn't doing much.

Nasturtiums earn a spot because they act as a trap crop, pulling aphid colonies away from your stock before infestations build. Their sprawling habit also shades soil enough to slow moisture loss on warm days. Yarrow and dill both support beneficial insect populations and are fine nearby, though dill can push 3–4 feet tall and will shade shorter stock plants if you're not deliberate about row placement.

The companions to skip are less complicated. Black walnut roots release juglone, a compound documented to damage or kill members of the Brassicaceae family — and Matthiola incana sits squarely in that family, so don't plant stock anywhere near a walnut's root zone. Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale) compete for the same nutrients and share disease pressure, including clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae), which can persist in soil for 20 years. Grass encroachment is just straightforward competition — keep bed edges clean with a hoe or landscape fabric.

Plant Together

Lavender

Attracts beneficial pollinators and repels aphids and moths

Chives

Deters aphids and other pests while attracting beneficial insects

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting predatory insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface and leaves make excellent mulch

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and attracts beneficial insects

Yarrow

Attracts predatory insects and improves soil health

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps and other predatory insects

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to stone fruit trees

Grass

Competes for nutrients and water, can harbor pests

Brassicas

May stunt growth and compete for similar nutrients

Troubleshooting Katz Apricot

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

Seedlings collapse at soil level, stems pinched-looking or water-soaked near the base

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp.) — fungal rot that thrives in cold, wet, poorly drained seedling mix
Overwatering combined with low airflow around trays

What to Do

1.Toss the affected seedlings — there's no saving them once the stem collapses
2.Bottom-water remaining trays instead of overhead watering, and run a small fan nearby to keep air moving
3.Next sowing, use a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix and don't let trays sit in standing water

Lower leaves turning yellow and dropping, plant looks tired despite adequate water

Likely Causes

Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) — especially in humid conditions with dense foliage
Nitrogen deficiency in sandy or low-organic soils that drain too fast

What to Do

1.Strip yellowing lower leaves and dispose of them in the trash, not the compost pile
2.Thin or space plants to at least 9–12 inches apart to open up airflow
3.Side-dress with a balanced granular fertilizer (something like 10-10-10) if soil fertility is suspect

Sticky, distorted new growth at shoot tips; flower buds failing to open or opening misshapen

Likely Causes

Aphid infestation (commonly green peach aphid, Myzus persicae) — they cluster on soft new tissue
Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) feeding inside unopened buds

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm stream of water from a hose; repeat every 2–3 days until populations drop
2.For thrips inside buds, apply a spinosad-based spray in the evening when pollinators aren't active
3.Check undersides of leaves and inside buds at least once a week during warm weather — early catches are much easier to manage

Powdery white or gray coating on leaves, usually showing up mid-season after plants are established

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum) — common on Matthiola in humid summers, especially when nights cool after warm days
Crowded planting that traps moisture and reduces air circulation

What to Do

1.Remove heavily infected leaves and dispose of them away from the bed
2.Apply a diluted neem oil spray (2 tbsp per gallon of water with a few drops of dish soap) every 7–10 days once you see the first signs
3.Space plants 9 to 12 inches apart from the start — powdery mildew moves fast through stagnant air

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Katz Apricot flowers last once cut?▼

Fresh Katz Apricot cut flowers typically last 5-7 days when placed in a clean vase with fresh water. Change the water every 2-3 days and remove any foliage below the waterline to extend vase life. Keep them away from direct sunlight, heat, and ripening fruits to prevent premature wilting.

Is Katz Apricot a good variety for beginners?▼

Yes, Katz Apricot is an excellent choice for beginners. It's classified as 'Easy' difficulty and performs reliably with minimal care requirements. As a one-cut variety requiring full sun to partial shade and no pinching, it's straightforward to grow with good uniformity in bloom time and stem length.

Can you grow Katz Apricot flowers in containers?▼

Yes, Katz Apricot can be grown in containers. Use well-draining potting soil and ensure pots are large enough for root development. Place containers in a location receiving 4-6+ hours of sunlight daily. Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering than in-ground plants, especially during warm weather.

What does Katz Apricot flower taste like?▼

Katz Apricot flowers have a distinctive peppery, clove-like flavor profile. This unique taste makes them ideal for garnishing salads, desserts, and cocktails, adding both visual appeal and a subtle spicy-floral note to dishes and beverages.

When should I plant Katz Apricot flowers?▼

Plant Katz Apricot after your last frost date for your region. This heirloom variety thrives in spring, early summer, and fall conditions, as demonstrated in trials. Direct sow or transplant when soil temperatures are warm and frost danger has passed for optimal growth and flowering.

Why shouldn't I pinch Katz Apricot plants?▼

Katz Apricot is a one-cut variety, meaning each plant produces a single flowering stem. Pinching will remove the apical meristem and terminate that stem's flowering ability, preventing bloom altogether. For best results, allow plants to grow unpinched to achieve their intended single long stem with full bloom potential.