Reseda odorata aka Common Mignonette

Reseda odorata, or garden mignonette, belongs to the Resedaceae family. Its native range covers southern Crete, Libya and northern Egypt. It grows in temperate regions and occurs among rocks. Kew lists it as an annual or subshrub. In gardens, the RHS describes it as an upright annual. Other names include sweet reseda, love flower and little darling.

Plants reach about 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 metres) in height and spread. Their upright form suits the front of a flower bed. The leaves may be simple or divided into lobes. The RHS lists the foliage as deciduous. Pale yellow flowers form cone-shaped clusters above the leaves. Reddish stamens add a second colour to these small blooms. Their strong scent is a key feature of the plant. Flowers appear in summer and continue into early autumn.

Grow mignonette in full sun or partial shade. It suits moderately fertile soil that drains well. The RHS lists chalk, loam and sand as suitable soils. Neutral to alkaline ground fits its stated needs. It accepts dry to moist conditions without needing wet soil. East-, south- and west-facing sites can all suit it. The RHS accepts both exposed and sheltered positions. Its listed UK hardiness rating is H6. Even so, the RHS advises frost protection for autumn sowings.

Sow seed where the plants will grow, in spring or autumn. Use a cloche to protect seed sown in autumn. Remove spent flowers to keep the display going longer. Cut plants back once flowering has finished. Mignonette fits cottage gardens, courtyard gardens and informal beds. It also suits border edges and wildlife gardens. The flowers can be cut for use indoors. PFAF records its value for wildlife and scented planting. The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems.

The flowers yield an essential oil used to make perfume. The plant also provides a yellow dye. PFAF records no known edible uses and gives it an edibility score of zero. That source lists no known hazards, but this does not establish pet safety. It also records medicinal uses for the root and seed. These include root preparations used to promote sweating, urination and bowel movements. Such records describe uses rather than prove that home treatment is safe.