Matthiola incana Seeds | Violet / Stock
LATIN NAME: Matthiola incana
COMMON NAME: Violet / Stock
Plant Profile
Violet / Stock (Matthiola incana) is a distinctive species in the family Brassicaceae. Latin Name: Matthiola incana English/Common Name: Violet / Stock. Its flowers draw a steady traffic of bees and other beneficial insects. Taken as a whole, it is a plant that repays a little attention many times over.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying Brassicaceae regularly include Matthiola incana in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. Species is useful in studies of floral scent, flower development, pigment variation, Brassicaceae morphology and ornamental breeding. Breeders and collectors still work with it, so well-kept seed remains available.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Violet / Stock for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. It is used for borders, containers, cut flowers, fragrance gardens and educational collections. Selected forms are valued for their flower color, fragrance and upright habit. After the first season it asks for very little beyond a place that suits it.
Stocks are beloved for their clove-scented evening perfume and cutting quality; they are pure ornamentals.
Growing from Seed
Violet / Stock is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Sow seed in a fine, well-drained medium and cover lightly. Keep substrate evenly moist and provide bright light. Level a tray of loose seed compost, sow evenly, cover to about the seed’s own depth, and keep it moist in full light. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Violet / Stock repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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