Have you heard of the flower Stock? The botanical illustration here below is what it looks like.
This flower is rather new to me, although it has been around for ages!
I did try growing stock two years ago and I got super short stems. They were really fragrant with very pretty flowers heads, but I think I left them for the bees.
Last year I tried starting seeds again, but I must have not tried hard enough because I think I got a few good plants- and then on a stormy day with the wind -the stems all fell over onto the ground. They then proceeded to grow towards the sun, which caused crooked stems.
So, I think I left them for the bees again!!!
I still enjoyed their fragrance every time I brushed up against them.
Year three-I'm off to a good start and I'm determined to grow these perfect for you!!
It's March and I have 5 trays going of stock starts. They will be going in the ground within the next few weeks (in the hoophouse). Wish me luck!!
The Latin name for stock is Matthiola Incana and they are in the cabbage family of Brassicaceae. Basically, this just means, that like cabbage, they like growing in the cool spring weather. Once it gets hot, they will not thrive.
Some of the common names are gilly flower or ten-week stock.
Since I love looking at still life Renaissance paintings-I searched for pictures of stock paintings in the public domain. All I got were stock photos...not the flower stock. I had better luck when I searched for gilly flowers-although this gave me pictures of carnations.
Come to find out that a gilly flower is a name for a strong clove-scented flower! Carnations and stock are strong clove-scented blooms.
See-you learn something new every day!
Chances are that your Mother or Grandmother grew these gilly flowers in their flower beds with their sweet peas and snapdragons.
Please share with me in the comments below of any memories of flowers from your childhood!
Speaking of memories- my Mom always tells me that she hated the job of weeding out the carnation beds when she was a little girl. -I love hearing these stories!
If you ask me to flower your wedding or event, I will always ask if there is a flower that you remember from your childhood!! There is always a chance that I could incorporate it into a bouquet.
Stay tuned this May and June when these little baby stocks turn into beautiful fragrant blooms tucked into your weekly bouquets.
Cut flowers will start in May and go throughout the fall.
I even have some carnations planted-so you will get to enjoy these gilly scented flowers randomly throughout the summer.
This picture below is a rose called Koko Loko with carnations that I grew. The smell was divine!
and just because...
I found this photo from a mid June picking and I'm loving the color palette! June wedding anyone??
I'll end with this baroque painting from 1660. It's labeled "A Man holding a carnation to a Woman's nose" by Nicolaes Maes. Chances are you never saw this painting before and I hope you check it out.
I hope you get the chance to smell a gilly clove-scented flower-it's quite memorable and beautiful!
If you get anything out of the gilly flower- take its symbolism to heart because it means to
" Enjoy and accept the life that you gave been given"
Blessings, Heather
Free Range Blooms grows seasonal cut flowers in Central PA. Sign up below to get on the email list for new blog alerts and sales alerts.
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