General Description/History

Stock are herbaceous plants which produce flowers of soft, pastel pink, blue-purple, yellow or creamy white on single stems. Red and crimson stocks can sometimes also be found. Flowers resemble large apple blossoms and have a beautiful fragrance. Flowers open from the bottom of the stem up.

Stock is usually only available in the cooler months, between autumn and spring, and is grown under cover in the cooler areas near Melbourne, Sydney, in Tasmania and in SA and WA. In winter it is a common field crop.

Language: ‘you’ll always be beautiful to me’

What to look for

• 1/2 of the lower flowers are open;
• Bunches with strong fragrance;
• Stem ends should not have the woody white root section still attached;
• Avoid bunches with brown marks on petals.

Flower Care

1. Keep cool whenever possible.
2. Split bunches and strip leaves (if any) from the lower half of each stem.
3. Wash each stem thoroughly.
4. Recut at least 2 cm off each stem with sharp secateurs, making sure the woody stem end and roots are removed and place in water immediately.
5. Preservative is essential – this will help prevent growth of bacteria and slime.
6. Replace water every day.
7. Stock is very sensitive to ethylene. Keep them away from fruit, car exhausts and cigarette smoke.

Botanical Name: Matthiola incana

Common Names: Stock

Stem Length: 30 to 70 cm

Country of Origin: USA

Available Colours: Blue, Cream, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow

Season: Autumn,Winter,Spring

Availability: March,April,May,June,July,August,September,October,November