How to Care for Stock Flowers

Stock (Matthiola incana) is an annual or biennial flower that is as fragrant as it is colorful. Grouped together, stock makes a lovely addition to a cutting or cottage garden. Stock is a biennial in zones 3 to 8, and an annual is zones 9 to 11. The fragrance of stock is very similar to that of cloves. Stock prefers full sun to light shade, and will bloom profusely in cooler climates. Stock makes excellent cut flowers. Stock will grow, depending on the variety, from 15 inches to 3 feet.

Trowel
Stock seeds or plants
Water
Fertilizer

Instructions

Planting & Care
- 1
  Plant seeds outdoors in the spring (in areas with mild winters, sow seeds in the fall). Choose a site with full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. Place seeds about 9 inches apart, and cover very lightly with a thin layer of soil. Water.
- 2
  Keep seeds moist, but don't over-water. Germination should take about 10 days.
- 3
  To plant nursery-grown plants, space them 9 to 15 inches apart. Stock plants can be planted in the spring. Dig a hole to accommodate the plant, cover with soil, compact to remove any air pockets, and water. Water regularly until established.
- 4
  Snip off spent blooms to increase flowering. Clip off blooms right below the flower head.
- 5
  Fertilize once a month with the fertilizer of your choice.

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How to Care for Stock Flowers

Instructions

Planting & Care