Matthiola
Gillyflower, Stock
- Height × spread
- 0.2m – 0.8m × 0.2m – 0.4m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are grown for their sweet scented flowers. Matthiola incana (the 'Gillyflower') could be a candidate for The Cottage Garden Plant. There are a large number of cultivated forms that make bell heads of flowers in warm bright shades of white, pink, red and purple. A number of ranges of these forms have been developed, some very small standing only 15cm in height. Larger forms can be as much as 75cm in height. The night scented stock, Matthiola bicornis, is a modest annual that releases its fragrance at night. There are a number of other species of stock, many of which are too tender to overwinter outside in the UK.
- Flower colour
- Pink, Purple, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Column, Round
- Height
- 0.2m – 0.8m
- Spread
- 0.2m – 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Scented garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bedding plant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Planting
Support some varieties
Some plants within this genus may require support for young plants and/or long stems. It is best to look up your specific plant for guidance, and/or check the label.
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.