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Publication #FPS402

 

Matthiola incana Stock, Gillyflower1

Edward F. Gilman, Teresa Howe2

Introduction

Stock is an upright annual growing to about 18 inches tall with 1.5-inch-diameter flowers borne toward the top of the plant (Fig. 1). Stock is well adapted to planting in central Florida in late winter for a good flower display for about one month in late spring.

General Information

Figure 1. 

Stock


[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]
Scientific name: Matthiola incana
Pronunciation: math-EYE-oh-luh in-KAY-nuh
Common name(s): stock, gillyflower
Family: Cruciferae
Plant type: biennial; perennial; herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: all zones (Fig. 2)
Planting month for zone 7: Jun; Jul
Planting month for zone 8: May; Jun
Planting month for zone 9: Apr; May; Nov; Dec
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: Feb; Mar; Nov; Dec
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: mass planting
Figure 2. 

Shaded area represents potential planting range.


[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]
Availability: grown in small quantities by a small number of nurseries

Description

Height: 1 to 2.5 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Plant habit: upright
Plant density: open
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: undulate
Leaf shape: oblanceolate
Leaf venation: reticulate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: not applicable
Fall characteristic: not applicable

Flower

Flower color: lavender; pink; red; white; yellow
Flower characteristic: summer flowering; fall flowering; pleasant fragrance

Fruit

Fruit shape: no fruit
Fruit length: no fruit
Fruit cover: no fruit
Fruit color: not applicable
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: medium

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; slightly alkaline
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 12 to 18 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: not applicable
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: very sensitive to one or more pests or diseases which can affect plant health or aesthetics

Use and Management

Cultivars in the 'Harmony' series including 'Harmony Cherry Blossom' and 'Harmony Purple' are well suited for Florida.

Related species: M. longipetala var. bicornis (evening stock) is an unsightly annual that adds night time fragrance to the landscape.

Footnotes

1.

This document is FPS402, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October 1999. Revised June 2007. Reviewed June 2011. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Teresa Howe, coordinator - Research Programs/Services, Gulf Coast REC, Bradenton, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.