What's this beauty?

[MrsBertBibby]

This beauty appeared last year as an uninvited guest. It is back this year, bigger and better. It has the most powerful heady scent. Can't see anything like it next door.

Phlox, I think.

Is phlox not an annual though?

Definitely phlox, I have perennial ones.

Oh now I've been muddling up phlox and stocks.

Yes, photos sounds about right. Do you reckon I could lift it and put it somewhere else? I should like that scent near the back door!

Phlox, not photos.

It's Stock - Matthiola incana - Brompton Stock. The scent is superb.

Perennial Stock. I have one that’s about 7 yrs old. Fab scent and flowers from April till October.
I’ve just realised it’s very easy to raise from seed, so several new plants on the go.

So when is the best time to make like a 70s bra and lift and separate? I have several clumpy plants that might benefit from this (And give me more contributions for the charity plant sale!)

Plus this one can't really stay where it landed long term!

I moved mine from one garden to another, in early spring. It’s survived well and preferred it’s new spot.

This is it, this morning.

Wow!

Thanks, it has thrived on reasonable neglect! Though I’m treating the seedlings with great care, in the greenhouse.

Did you get the seeds off the heads, or just dig them up?

Still utterly mystified how this got in my garden. Can't see a thing like it anywhere close. Still, gifthorses and all that. Just unsure whether to try to lift it now, or leave it, try to get seeds, and lift in the spring if it reappears.

I thinks it’s the white form of sweet rocket, Hesperis matronalis

It could be, but does it have a strong perfume?
Re the perennial Stock. The seed heads are long thin tubes that dry and burst open with lots of small seeds. I gathered them from the plant in the Autumn. Throughout the summer I cut back the faded flowers, to get more, but left the last few seed heads.

Incredibly strong!

Yes very strong fragrance. And it seeds about