Stock, also known as Matthiola, is a hardy cool-season annual native to Mediterranean and is a favourite in an Old English cottage garden and is often used as a cut flower in arrangements. The tightly clustered flowers come in shades of white, pale pink, cream, cerise pink, purple, peach, red and lilac and have a beautiful sweet and spicy fragrance from the blossoms. The most commonly planted forms are common stock (Matthiola incana), which ranges from 8 to 30 inches tall, and evening-scented stock (Matthiola longipetala bicornus), which is 12 to 14 inches tall.
Caring for Stock as a cut flower
Step 1
Purchase stock when half to two-thirds of the flowers on the stalk are open. Look for straight, sturdy stems, and avoid stems on which the lower flowers are decaying.
Step 2
Remove any foliage that will be below the water line of the vase or container. For longest flower life, cut the stem under water and use a floral preservative.
Step 3
Change the water of your stock bouquet daily because stock is susceptible to mildew,
