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Gillyflower Matthiola incana

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Gillyflower:

Phonetic Spelling
ma-the-OH-luh in-KAY-nuh
Description

Stock is a low-maintenance, cool-season, flowering, herbaceous perennial often grown as a biennial or annual, in the Mustard family. It grows easily from seed and can be sow directly outdoors, or started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.  Sow seeds in several two-week intervals to prolong bloom time. Stock is an upright, small shrub, reaching a mature height of 3 feet with oblong hairy grey-green leaves. The flowers have a clove-like fragrance so plant in areas where the scent can be enjoyed. The common name for this species comes from the woody base it develops. The genus name honors Pierandrea Mattioli, a sixteenth century Italian physician and botanist. The species name means hairy or gray-white in reference to plant leaves.

Stock does best in average to humusy, consistently moist, well-drained soils in full sun, but it does tolerate some light shade. It will not do well in acidic soil. Because plants begin to decline in the summer when temperatures are above 80 F., it is considered a tender perennial and is best used as an annual in the south.  These plants also suffer from hot night-time conditions.

A number of Stock varieties have been developed, mostly hybrids involving M. incana, M. sinuata and M. odorata, to the point where strict species plants are no longer available. The hybrids are available in a large variety of colors including pink, lavender, purple, white, yellow and red and bloom from late spring into fall under cool summer conditions. Bloom time is shorter in hot summer climates.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

There are no serious insect or disease problems. White mold can be an issue in mild, rainy winters.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#shrub#low maintenance#herbaceous#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#cutting garden#subshrub#heat intolerant#annual#ornamental shrub
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#shrub#low maintenance#herbaceous#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#cutting garden#subshrub#heat intolerant#annual#ornamental shrub
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Matthiola
    Species:
    incana
    Family:
    Brassicaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    The Coast of Europe from Spain to Greece.
    Distribution:
    North Africa, Turkey, Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Texas, California, North Carolina, Central and Coastal South America, Western Australia.
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts wildlife and pollinators.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Description:
    Seeds will ripen in August and September.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are singles or doubles and appear as terminal racemes from May through July. Blooms come in many colors, including cream, white, lavender purple, and pink.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Sinuate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Hairy, gray-green leaves (to 4 inches long) wrap the stems.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Plants grow to 1 to 3 feet tall on upright stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Salt