🌷 Stock 🌷
Matthiola incana
🌈 Fragrant Flower Spikes
☀️ Full Sun (6+ hrs)
🌱 Well-Drained, Fertile Soil
💧 Water Regularly
↔️ Space 6-12" Apart
🗓️ Bloom: Spring to Summer
✂️ Deadhead for More Blooms
A wonderful choice for its fragrant blooms and lovely flower spikes. Here's a plant guide to help you cultivate these beauties:
Stock (Matthiola incana) Plant Guide
This guide will provide you with the essential information for growing and enjoying the fragrant flowers of Stock.
Overview:
* Botanical Name: Matthiola incana
* Common Names: Stock, Gillyflower, Ten-weeks Stock (referring to some early-blooming varieties)
* Plant Type: Typically grown as an annual or biennial
* Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall, 6-12 inches wide
* Bloom Time: Spring to summer, depending on the variety and planting time
* Flower Description: Upright spikes of densely packed, often double or single flowers in a wide range of colors, including pink, purple, white, cream, yellow, and red. Known for their sweet, clove-like fragrance.
* Fragrance: Strong, sweet, and often described as clove-like.
* Native To: Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Growing Conditions:
* Sunlight: Full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily) is essential for strong stems and abundant flowering. They can tolerate very light afternoon shade in hot climates, but too much shade will result in leggy growth and fewer blooms.
* Soil: Well-draining soil is crucial. Stock dislikes overly wet feet, which can lead to root rot. They prefer fertile, loamy soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (around 6.0-7.5). Amend heavy clay soils with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage. Sandy soils will benefit from organic matter to improve water retention and nutrient availability.
* Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases. Once established, they have moderate water needs.
* Temperature: Stock prefers cool to moderate temperatures. They thrive in spring and fall conditions. Hot summer temperatures can cause them to bolt (flower prematurely and go to seed) and cease blooming.
* Hardiness Zones: Typically grown as an annual in most USDA hardiness zones. In very mild winter areas (zones 8-10), some varieties might overwinter as biennials and bloom in the following spring.
Planting:
* Starting from Seed:
* Indoor Sowing: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost for spring/early summer bloom. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist and provide light once seedlings emerge. Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
* Direct Sowing: In areas with mild springs or for a later bloom, you can direct sow seeds outdoors in early spring once the soil is workable. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Sow seeds thinly, about 1/4 inch deep, and keep the soil moist until germination. Thin seedlings to 6-12 inches apart once they have a few sets of true leaves. For fall blooming in mild climates, sow seeds in late summer.
* Transplanting Seedlings: Space seedlings 6-12 inches apart in the garden. Water them in well after planting. Handle seedlings gently as they can be somewhat delicate.
Care and Maintenance:
* Staking: Taller varieties of Stock may benefit from staking, especially in windy locations, to prevent the flower spikes from breaking. Insert stakes early in the growing season.
* Fertilizing: Stock generally doesn't require heavy fertilization. However, you can amend the soil with compost at planting time. If your soil is poor, you can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting or a diluted liquid fertilizer a few times during the growing season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
* Deadheading: Regularly remove spent flower spikes to encourage more blooms and prolong the flowering period. This also prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production.
* Pest and Disease Control: Stock can occasionally be susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, and fungal diseases like powdery mildew, especially in humid conditions. Monitor your plants regularly and take appropriate action if pests or diseases appear. Ensure good air circulation to help prevent fungal issues.
Harvesting (for Cut Flowers):
* Cut stems when about one-third to one-half of the flowers on the spike are open. The unopened buds will continue to open in water.
* Harvest in the cool of the morning for the best vase life.
* Remove the lower leaves and place the stems in water immediately.
Uses:
* Excellent for cut flower arrangements due to their beautiful colors, fragrant blooms, and long vase life.
* Adds vertical interest and delightful fragrance to garden beds, borders, and cottage gardens.
* Suitable for containers and window boxes.
A Few Extra Tips:
* For the best fragrance, choose varieties known for their strong scent. Double-flowered varieties tend to be more fragrant than single-flowered ones.
* Successive sowing (planting seeds every few weeks) can help extend the blooming season.
* Be mindful of your local climate. Stock thrives in cooler weather and may struggle in prolonged heat. Consider planting in a location that receives some afternoon shade in hot summer areas.
* Biennial varieties planted in the fall will typically form a rosette of leaves in the first year and then bloom in the following spring.
Enjoy the beauty and fragrance of your Stock! Let me know if you have any more questions.