Brompton Matthiola incana is a flowering annual plant native to Southern Europe. The Brompton Matthiola incana is commonly grown as an ornamental plant and as a component of cut floral bouquets.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Matthiola incana is a species of flowering plant in the cabbage family Brassicaceae. Common names include Brompton stock, common stock, hoary stock, ten-week stock, and gilly-flower. The common name stock usually refers to this species, though it may also be applied to the whole genus Matthiola. The common name “night-scented stock” or “evening-scented stock” is applied to Matthiola longipetala.
It is native to southern Europe, from the Balearics to the former Yugoslavia, and is naturalized in the western part of the Mediterranean region, roughly in the same area as the olive tree. The plant prefers calcareous soils, and often grows on cliffs overlooking the sea, or on old walls. It is a plant of the coast, but it can be found, naturalized, even in the hinterland up to 600 m (2,000 ft) of altitude.
Some stocks are grown as annuals (the “ten-week stocks”) that reach heights of growth of 20 to 28 centimeters thick, woody at the base and with numerous foliar scars and branches with terminal rosettes of leaves. The plants are starry, with whitish hairs. The leaves are rounded and ash-coloured. The fragrant flowers are white, cream yellow, pink, red, purple or blue. The scar flaps on the back are swollen. The pods are compressed, their flaps are flattened. Leaves whole or slightly sinuate, lanceolate, attenuated on a short petiole.
Pedicels are 10–12 mm in anthesis, 12–17 mm in fruiting, erect-patents. Sepals are around 11–14 mm, with narrow scarious margin, subtle, green or somewhat purple. Petals are 25–30 mm, with a nail almost as long as the limb, ranging between white, pink, violet or purple. Seeds are 2–3 mm, suborbicular, with a whitish wing. The flower is supported by a 10–20 mm stalk.
These varieties are sown in spring (generally from March onwards in colder areas of the Northern Hemisphere, earlier in regions with mild winters). Other varieties take longer to develop and are treated as biennials. These are often referred to as “Brompton stocks”. In cool temperate regions they are generally sown in summer (June and July) to flower in the following spring. The extra trouble of overwintering the plants is compensated for by the showy spring floral display. In hard winters there may be some mortality and a well-drained sheltered site suits them best.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Tenweeks stock prefers sunny areas with partial shade in gardens. As it can not tolerate too much direct sunlight, shade your plant in the hot summer. The flowering plant should also be shaded or removed to a site near a tree or a building to avoid strong sunlight, otherwise, the flowers can look dull.
Temperature and Humidity
Matthiola incana is somewhat sensitive to temperature, which is what makes it a “half-hardy annual” in some locations, meaning it will keep blooming through one or two frost events. It likes cool weather, but cold winters may prevent it from returning as a perennial. It doesn’t like extreme humidity and so consistently moist, tropical conditions are not ideal.
Watering
While tenweeks stock is resistant to a slight drought, it prefers moist and well-drained soil for its full growth. Because of this, you should water your plant regularly to keep the soil moist. When planting in sandy loam, water every 2-3 days in summer. Watering in the morning is preferable as the plant can dry out during the day. If tenweeks stock is newly planted, water it every day in the initial two weeks.
Soil
The optimum soil for tenweeks stock is moist but well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil, with a pH value of 7-8. Slightly acidic soil can also be used but may affect the plant’s growth. While the soil should always be moist, it must be well-drained to avoid root rot. Therefore, a sandy loam is the best soil to use, but chalk soil will also be suitable.
Fertilizing
Fertilize your tenweeks stock once a month in summer and autumn for attractive flowers. The fertilizer should be organic or water-soluble, rich in phosphorus, which can be purchased at your local gardening center. Be careful not to over-fertilize your plant, as this can prevent the roots from absorbing water and affect the growth and flowering of the plant.
Planting Instructions
Plant tenweeks stock in a sunny, well-drained site in autumn. It is worth considering the spacing between the plants, and it should be a minimum of 15 cm apart to avoid overcrowding. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, and after placing the plant, press the soil lightly around the roots. Adequate water should be applied in the end. You can also plant tenweeks stock in a flowerpot, but as its sunlight requirement, do not place it indoors. Sowing seeds of ten weeks stock is a good choice other than transplanting.
Pruning
Tenweeks stock needs very little pruning but may be pruned in the main blooming season by deadheading for its growth and reblooming. It is a fast-growing plant, reaching up to 1 m in height and spreading to 50 cm wide if allowed. You can pinch the plant by removing the shoots on the main stem, which can make tenweeks stock more luxuriant. Remove all of the old and withered parts in late autumn to enhance the plant growth in the coming year.
Propagation
Tenweeks stock can be propagated by seeds, but should be sown early as it tends to wilt a bit in late summer heat. Here’s how:
- Sow seeds in rich neutral soil, barely covering with 1/8 of soil.
- Maintain good moisture by spraying but don’t oversaturate soil.
- Seedlings should appear within 10-14 days.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests and Diseases
Stock may be bothered by aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage white caterpillars. If you see pests on the leaves, gently remove them and cut off any damaged plant parts. They may also be vulnerable to the following diseases: fusarium wilt, gray mold, leaf spot, root rot, and verticillium wilt. Avoiding overwatering will help prevent most of these.
Common Problems
Stock flowers are easy to grow in a home garden, but certain conditions—namely poor air circulation, overwatering, poor drainage, or wet, humid conditions—can trigger viral and fungal diseases. Keep an eye out for these issues.
- Gray Mold
Gray mold can affect plants where there’s poor air circulation and humid, cool weather. Remove diseased plants, space out plantings, and water using drip irrigation.
- Yellowing Leaves
Poor air circulation and wet conditions can cause leaves to turn yellow and grow fuzzy spores from downy mildew. Try drip irrigation and space out plantings. If leaves turn yellow and fall off, verticillium wilt may have spread through contaminated tools or soil. Remove diseased plants and rotate plantings.
- Brown Spots
Hot, humid, and wet conditions can promote the growth of leaf spot. Space out plants, use drip irrigation, and remove diseased plants.
- Wilting Plants
High humidity, poor air circulation, overwatering, or poorly drained soil can cause root rot. Remove affected plants, space out plantings, and improve soil drainage.
III.Types of Stock Flower
Stock’s botanical name is Matthiola incana, and it is a member of the brassica family. The blue-green leaves do somewhat resemble tiny cabbage leaves, and when the flowers drop off the remaining foliage looks somewhat like brassicas gone to seed. There are at least fifty different Matthiola species; Matthiola bicornis, or evening scented stock, is a species with somewhat larger flowers. There are many different varieties of Matthiola incana available, owing to many years of hybridizing efforts to develop a wide range of colors. Examples of stock varieties include:
- ‘Cinderella’: a compact variety that grows no more than 12 in. tall, and has full double flowers in many beautiful pastel shades and some brights.
- ‘Legacy’: grows up to 2 ft. tall and bears large double flowers in a variety of bright vivid shades including crimson and purple.
- ‘Starlight Scentsation’: grows to 18 in. in height and bears dramatic clusters of single flowers in a range of colors.
- ‘Iron’: a series of large double-flowered stock on sturdy stems in a range of colors, and the variety used by many florists for arrangements.
- ‘Antique Pink’: features a two-tone pink flower that’s usually double; the colorful petals surround pale green centers, a very romantic look.
IV. Uses and Benefits
From neutral to bold shades, the abundant, fragrant blooms of M. incana bring an aura of charm and romance to early-season settings.
With heights ranging from 12 to 36 inches, there are options for front, middle, and rear placements in beds, borders, and container gardening arrangements.
Pair plants with cottage garden favorites like dianthus, heliotrope, iris, larkspur, pansy, petunia, and snapdragon that share similar cultural requirements.
Place them in a pot with calla lily and swan river daisy to highlight each specimen’s unique form.
Mix colors and plant en masse for a sweeping vista to rival the watercolors of the Impressionist masters.
You’re going to love having a ready supply of lush-blossomed cutting flowers when you introduce stock to your outdoor living space.
V. Harvesting and Storage
Tenweeks stock can be harvested to make flower arrangements due to its beautiful clusters with colorful flowers. Cut the flower stalk in spring or summer when tenweeks stock blooms. If you harvest promptly, the plant can rebloom later in summer. With sharp garden scissors, cut the branches at an angle of 45 degrees, and place them in clean water as soon as possible to prevent water loss.
