Matthiola

( math - EYE - oh - luh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Stock, these happy, flowering plants need full sun to light shade and regular water for best performance. They are considered old-fashioned plants, found often in cottage gardens. Native to the Mediterranean, they produce narrow grey-green leaves and erect spikes of fragrant, colorful flowers. They are best in cooler weather. Grow Stock as container plantings, in mixed beds, in borders, and in cottage or informal gardens. 

Matthiola Species and Varietals

The genus Matthiola is a member of the plant family Brassicaceae and includes about 50 species. The genus is named for Italian naturalist Pietro Andrea Mattioli. Stock grows best in zones 1-24. ​To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Matthiola afghanica
These plants are native to Afghanistan and eastern areas of Iran, and is a subshrub that grows primarily in temperate areas. Flowers are pink with whitish centers and have four separated petals that have wavy edges.

Matthiola crassifolia (Thick-Leaved Stock)
This species is a perennial and has very thick roots. Flowering stems reach between 8 and 32 inches tall and are topped with purple to pinkish flowers with white sepals. Flowers bloom from February through May. These plants are endemic to Lebanon.

Matthiola fragrans
This species is native to Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan. It has fragrant flowers, like many other species in the genus. Blooms are typically green, yellow, and maroon to wine-colored. These plants prefer chalky soil medium, and form a basal rosette of dark green foliage.

Matthiola fruticulosa (Sad Stock, Dark-Flowered Stock)
This species is native to the Mediterranean region, and is adapted well to clay and marl soil types. These plants produce pinkish-purple flowers atop stalks that reach about 2 feet tall when plants are in bloom.

Matthiola incana (Brompton Stock, Common Stock, Hoary Stock, Ten-Week Stock, Gilly-Flower)
This species of Stock is valued for its spicy scent and its use as a cut flower. Flowers can be single or double and come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, lavender, red, purple, blue, yellow, and cream. They need good drainage and light, fertile soil and do not take frost conditions well. Plant in early fall. If you live in an area that receives a lot of rainfall, plant Stock in raised beds to ensure adequate drainage.

​Matthiola longipetala (Matthiola bicornis) (Evening Scented Stock, Night-Scented Stock)
This species reaches a foot tall and 9 inches wide (though it can get a little taller) and has small purple flowers. At night, blooms give off a powerful fragrance. This species should be grown as a wintertime annual in areas that have hot summers and mild winters.

Caring for Matthiola

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Matthiola
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 437, Matthiola
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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