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 Stock is one of the old fashioned flowers that really deserves to be brought back. It has beautiful, frilly flowers that look like they come off a Victorian birthday card, and a unique spicy fragrance that few flowers can rival. This was by far my favorite plant of the 2000 season.
Most garden centers don't carry stock, and if they do, it usually isn't fragrant. If you grow from seed, however, you get a lot more choice. Stock grows easily from seeds started indoors, and should flower by early summer. They come in a range of pinks and lend an unusual touch to a border or container garden.
As noted below, they do prefer cooler weather, and do poorly in hot dry climates. But as a late spring, early summer flower, it's hard to beat.
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| Type: |
Biennial, grown as an annual |
Water: |
moderate |
| Zone: |
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Sun: |
full sun to part shade |
| Height: |
10-18" |
Soil: |
rich, moist, well-drained |
| Starting: |
Sow outdoors in early spring, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. |
Growing: |
Grows quickly and blooms in early summer. Although in cooler climes, it might give you a second bloom in early fall, in most places it will be finished by midsummer. Prefers a cooler climate. |
| Etymology: matthiola = named for Italian botanist Piersandrea Mattioli'; incana = 'grey' |
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