Stock plants (Matthiola incana) are a very popular spring flowering annual that produce a magnificent display when planted out in garden beds. This is due to their columns of fragrant flowers that come in brilliant shades of white, pink, lavender, red and purple. They are ideal as cut flowers and will add presence to any dining table or garden alike.


How to grow stock in a garden

  1. Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. As stock seeds require light to germinate, press lightly into the mix and water well. You can also sow these seeds directly where they are to grow.
  2. Water gently and keep moist through germination period.
  3. While the seedlings are growing, choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.  
  4. Allow the seedlings to grow to at least 5 cm before transplanting.
  5. When transplanting them into your prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings are well spaced – at least 30 cm apart. Water in well.
  6. Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw.
  7. Feed regularly during the growing and flowering season with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

     


How to grow stock in a pot

  1. Choose a pot at least 200 mm wide and deep. Position in full sun to part shade.
  2. Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
  3. As stock seeds require light to germinate, plant the seeds directly into the pot by pressing them lightly into the mix. Water in well. 
  4. Water gently and keep moist through the germination period.
  5. Feed regularly during the growing and flowering season with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.

Yates varieties

Stock 'Giant Perfection'

These dense columns of highly fragrant blooms make a bold statement in any garden. Brilliant shades of white, pink, lavender, red and purple.

Growing tips

  • Water at the base of the plant to avoid the risk of fungal issues.
  • It has been said that the number of single-flowered stocks can be limited by removing the seedlings with the darkest-coloured leaves.
  • Stock appreciate soil that is slightly alkaline. To achieve this add some Yates Thrive Natural Garden Lime prior to planting.
  • Remove spent blooms to promote new buds to form and to prolong the flower display.

More Plants

Proteas

Not just any old blossom, protea flowers are blooms with attitude. If you can give them full sun and reasonable drainage, proteas will love you.

Azalea

Azaleas vary from small, delicate shrubs that are happy in pots, up to hardy 1.5m shrubs ideal for border planting. Here's how to grow azaleas in your garden.

Lavender

Lavender are hardy perennial plants with silvery-grey, aromatic foliage & dense spike of flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink and white.

Echinacea

Echinacea is a hardy herbaceous perennial with large fragrant pink daisy-like flowers. Used for therapeutic purposes and as a delicious tea.

Recommended products

Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix

Specially formulated for trouble-free seed raising in trays (or outdoor seed sowing direclty into the ground) and propagation of cuttings.