Reseda

( res - SEED - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Mignonette, this genus is filled with annual and biennial flowering plants that need partial shade in the warmest climates; otherwise they can grow in full sun exposure. In warm weather, the flowers fade quickly and will brown. Blooms have a sweet but spicy fragrance to them. Most species in the genus are native to Europe, Southwestern Asia, and North Africa. Use Mignonette plants to fill in spaces in mixed beds and borders, as pollinator plants, or in pots or window boxes where their distinct, noticeable fragrance can be enjoyed from inside the home. Take care when handling these plants, as contact can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Reseda species and varietals

The genus Reseda is the type genus of the plant family Resedaceae and includes around 40 species. The plants in this genus are related to those in Cleome (Spider Flower). Mignonette grows well USDA hardiness zones 2-10, functioning as either annuals or short-lived perennials. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Reseda alba (White Mignonette, White Upright Mignonette, White Wood-Rhododendron Grass, 白木犀草)
These plants, native to Europe, Asia, and northern areas of Africa, are widely cultivated as ornamentals. The species can be either annual or perennial, depending on the climate they are grown in, and produce spikes of fragrant white flowers. Individual plants reach up to 24 to 36 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide when mature and in bloom.

Reseda lutea (Yellow Mignonette, Wild Mignonette, Cut-Leaf Mignonette)
These plants are native to Eurasia and North Africa, and has naturalized in many other areas around the globe. In Australia, it is a noxious weed and pest of agricultural lands. Flowers are fragrant and yellow. Leaves and flowers can be used to make yellow dye. These plants reach up to 1 to 2.5 feet tall when mature and in bloom. This species is considered invasive in Australia, the United States, Canada, South America, Central Asia, and South Africa.

Reseda luteola (Dyer's Rocket, Dyer's Weed, Weld, Woold, Yellow Weed)
These plants are rich in luteolin, which is used as a bright yellow fabric dye. The species is native to Europe and Western Asia, and has been introduced in many areas of the globe. Foliage is green, and flowers are light to golden yellow. These plants can reach up to 2 to 5 feet tall when mature and in bloom. This species is considered invasive in Australia and South America.

Reseda odorata (Mignonette, Garden Mignonette, Common Mignonette, Sweet Reseda, Love Flower, Bastard Rocket, Sweet-Scented Reseda)
These wild-looking flowers need regular water to perform well and reach 1.5 feet tall and just as wide when mature and in bloom. Mignonette is native to North Africa, and has green leaves and white flowers that have a copper or yellow tinge to them. Blooms are borne on spikes that begin dense and open up as they mature.

Reseda phyteuma (Rampion Mignonette, Corn Mignonette)
Reaching between 4 and 20 inches tall when in bloom, this species can be annual or perennial. Leaves are green and flowers are greenish-white, blooming in densely-packed inflorescences. Blooms pop from April through September. Rampion Mignonette is native to central and southern Europe as well as western Asia and northern Africa.

Caring for Reseda

Take care when handling these plants, as contact can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Reseda, or Mignonette, is typically grown from seed broadcasted over a garden bed, with succession plantings every few weeks in springtime for a continuous show in spring and summer. Nurseries don't usually carry Mignonette, as they do not transplant well. Grow Reseda in a space in the garden that receives full sun. Ideally, these plants appreciate a full 6-8 hours in sun each day to flower well. They can handle some shade, but will not flower as profusely and can have a tendency to get leggy. In warmer climates, make sure that they get some late afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak. Ensure that soil is well-draining and rich in nutrients with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing.

Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. Once established, perennial species appreciate regular waterings. To prolong bloom, deadhead when flower spikes fade. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage in early springtime and cut plant back a bit to encourage a bushier habit. These flowers typically survive in the landscape for a few years as short-lived perennials before needing to be replaced. In areas where they are grown as annuals, they can be pulled and composted at the end of the growing season or simply left in place and allowed to break down into the soil.

Propagation

Reseda plants are best propagated by harvesting and sowing seed. These plants will reseed naturally, as well, and any volunteer seedlings that germinate can be moved while they are still young. Reseda forms a taproot and does not like to be moved after it is established in the landscape. To propagate your Reseda plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Reseda by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Reseda seed capsules are cup-shaped and can each hold between 10 and 50 seeds.

Reseda seeds are very tiny, and are typically dark brown to black in color.

Problems and Pests

Certain Reseda species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Reseda, or Mignonette, plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: