Flower Library
Stocks
Matthiola incana · Brassicaceae
Stocks are the secret scent queen of summer: densely filled flower spikes in pastel and berry tones on upright stems, paired with a warm, spicy clove fragrance that fills entire rooms. It is an old-fashioned, charming cut flower that we buy freshly cut at the Veiling Rhein-Maas — with A1 quality the spikes last well beyond the often cited eight days.
- Season
- April – May – June – July – August – September
- Vase life
- 8–12 days
- Latin name
- Matthiola incana
- Colors
- White, Cream, Soft pink, Pink, Lilac, Violet, Apricot, Bordeaux
Botanically, stocks belong to the cabbage family (Brassicaceae) — related to cabbage and mustard, which explains the slightly spicy character. In the trade a distinction is made mainly between single and double-flowered varieties. For floristry almost only the double forms are of interest: they bear dense flower rosettes typical of stocks and look as lush as small peonies.
Among growth forms there are bush stocks, which branch richly and grow 30 to 50 cm tall, and the unbranched column stocks, which as a cut flower reach up to 80 cm. Popular variety and mixture names include „Giant Imperial“, „Katz“ and the early-flowering Dresden summer stocks. The colour range runs from pure white through cream and soft pink to vivid pink, lilac and dark bordeaux.
In floristry we value stocks as a bouquet filler with character: their spikes bring volume and a vertical line at once and fit beautifully into romantic, rustic bouquets. A single stem already perfumes an entire room — in wedding floristry an argument in itself, because scent shapes memories. The blooms are most fragrant in the evening.
A quality marker when buying: the lower blooms of the spike should just be opening while the tip is still in bud — this way the stock keeps opening over days in the vase. We avoid stems with yellowing lower leaves or an already wilting spike base. Stylistically, stocks combine harmoniously with roses, peonies, baby's breath and fine greenery into classic, fragrant arrangements.
Care
- 01Cut stems at an angle and trim the lower, often woody stem end generously — stocks draw a lot of water through the cut surface.
- 02Remove lower leaves completely so nothing rots in the water; stocks are sensitive to cloudy water.
- 03Change the water every 1–2 days and rinse the vase thoroughly — fresh water matters more here than with many other cut flowers, because the stems develop odour quickly.
- 04Place cool and out of direct sun; avoid heaters, fruit bowls and draughts, which noticeably extends vase life.
- 05Add flower food (or a pinch of sugar with a drop of dish soap) to the water so the upper buds open too.
Frequently asked
- How long do stocks last in the vase?
- With fresh stems and clean water stocks usually last 8 to 12 days. Frequent water changes are decisive — otherwise the lower stem end rots quickly and shortens vase life.
- Are stocks toxic to cats or dogs?
- Stocks are considered non-toxic to dogs and cats. As with all plants, however, nibbling larger amounts can cause stomach upset, so to be safe keep them out of reach of small animals or children.
- When are stocks in season?
- As a summer cut flower, stocks have their main season from roughly April to September, peaking from June to August. During this time we get them fresh and in the widest variety at the Veiling Rhein-Maas.
- Why do some stocks smell stronger than others?
- The characteristic clove-like scent depends on the variety and is most intense in the evening. Double-flowered varieties usually smell stronger than single ones — one reason they are preferred in floristry.