Stocks

Stocks have been popular for decades, both in the garden and as a cutflower. They were much loved by the Victorians and they have never really gone out of style. Most of them are heavenly scented (a spicy, clove-like scent), they come in a wide variety of colors, and they can bloom all summer long. There are both single and double flowered forms available. You can easily raise your own from seed or you can buy them as started plants from a garden center. Either way, they will be most welcome!

The ten-week stock, also called the brompton stock (Matthiola incana) is so named because it will go from seed to bloom in ten weeks. There are a huge number of cultivars available, all easy from seed, and range from tiny dwarves just a few inches tall to 2 ft. giants beloved by florists. They have a strong scent that is both spicy and sweet, and they are extremely easy to grow. Colors are mostly shades of white, pink, and purple and there are both single and double flowered forms.

Stocks have been prized for centuries and no Victorian garden design was without them. To this day they are still beloved by gardeners around the world. They do well in the garden or in containers and prefer sunny, cool conditions. Deadheading will prolong the season of bloom.