Stock
Matthiola incana
Family: Brassicaceae · Also called Matthiola, Gillyflower, Hoary Stock, Cheiranthus incanus, Microstigma incanum, Hesperis incana
Earthy & Warm · Spring–Summer bloomer
Stock is the old cottage garden's secret weapon, spikes of densely packed, ruffled flowers in soft pastels that release a fragrance so rich and spicy-sweet it stops people in their tracks. The scent, strongest at dusk, carries notes of clove, honey, and warm spice. As a cut flower, stock fills a room with perfume and lasts well over a week in water.
contentment, lasting beauty, happy life
In the Victorian language of flowers, stock means “A beautiful and happy life”. Stock is named after Pietro Andrea Mattioli, the 16th-century Italian physician and botanist. In the Victorian era, stock was considered one of the most important fragrant garden flowers, cottage gardens always included it. Night-scented stock (M. longipetala) is planted specifically for its extraordinary evening fragrance.
Did You Know?
Night-scented stock (Matthiola longipetala) looks utterly unremarkable during the day, the small flowers close and the plant seems dead. But at dusk, the flowers open and release one of the most intoxicating evening fragrances in the plant kingdom. It's grown entirely for its nighttime performance.
Coastal cliffs and rocky shores of southern Europe
Stock is native to Mediterranean. It naturally grows in coastal cliffs and rocky shores of southern europe.
Scent Profile
“A rich, clove-sweet fragrance that intensifies at dusk, one of the most powerful evening scents in the garden, often compared to fine perfume.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameMatthiola incana
- FamilyBrassicaceae
- Native ToMediterranean
- Bloom SeasonSpring–Summer
- LifespanAnnual
Cultural Significance
Stock is named after Pietro Andrea Mattioli, the 16th-century Italian physician and botanist. In the Victorian era, stock was considered one of the most important fragrant garden flowers, cottage gardens always included it. Night-scented stock (M. longipetala) is planted specifically for its extraordinary evening fragrance.