Night-scented stock, also known as evening stock, is a hardy annual plant that brings old-fashioned pretty delicacy and gorgeous fragrance to an informal or cottage garden flower border. Its white, lilac, or pink simple four-petalled flowers, borne on slender grey green stems with long narrow leaves, give off a strong sweet perfume in late evening, making them extremely attractive to night-flying moths. They work well in a border as well as in pots, and can be cut for indoor flower displays. The flowers of night-scented stock, and also those of the related stock flower (Matthiola incana) are edible and can be added to salads.
The night-scented stock also known by its botanical name matthiola bicornis, is a beloved old-fashioned annual flower that perfumes gardens after dusk. This hardy plant is easy to grow from seed and brings a touch of cottage garden charm to borders containers, and more. Keep reading to learn all about growing and caring for night-scented stock in your own garden!
Night-scented stock has been grown since at least the 16th century for its fabulous evening fragrance. Also called “evening stock” or “gillyflower”, this demure plant has grayish green slender stems topped with four-petaled flowers in white, pink, purple, or lilac. The blossoms are fairly insignificant during the day, only partially opening. But as night falls, they unfold to release an intensely sweet, spicy scent that wafts through the garden.
The flowers attract night-flying pollinators like moths with their alluring aroma. During Victorian times, women would walk through their gardens at dusk to appreciate the perfume of night-scented stock. The evocative fragrance inspired poets and lovers alike. Today, many gardeners grow this old-fashioned annual to enjoy that same magical, romantic scent.
Growing Conditions for Night-Scented Stock
Luckily night-scented stock is easy to cultivate in most climates. Here are its basic needs
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Sunlight Full sun is ideal, but light shade also works well
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Soil: Moist, fertile soil with good drainage. Neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
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Temperatures: Thrives in cooler conditions, even tolerating light frosts. Avoid extreme summer heat.
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USDA Zones: Grown as an annual in zones 2-11. May reseed in zones 8-10.
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Timing: Direct sow after danger of frost, or start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost date.
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Spacing: Plant 8-12 inches apart.
This versatile flower does beautifully in borders, containers, rock gardens, and cottage gardens. Allow it to gently self-sow for an effortless effect year after year.
How to Grow Night-Scented Stock from Seed
The easiest way to get started with night-scented stock is by direct sowing the tiny seeds into your garden. Here’s how:
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Prepare a planting bed in full sun with fertile, moist soil. Remove any weeds.
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Sow seeds thinly in early spring, as soon as soil can be worked. Cover very lightly with soil.
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Water gently to avoid washing away small seeds. Maintain even moisture.
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Seeds will germinate in 1-2 weeks when soil temperatures reach 65°F.
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Thin seedlings to 8-12 inches apart when they reach 2 inches tall.
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Flowering begins in early summer and lasts up to 2 months. Deadhead spent blooms.
Stagger sowings every 2-3 weeks for continual flowers. In warm climates, sow a fall crop in late summer or early autumn. Night-scented stock dislikes transplanting, so always direct sow.
Caring for Night-Scented Stock
Aside from regular watering, especially during dry spells, night-scented stock needs very little care to thrive. Here are a few tips:
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Use row covers at planting time to protect from any late frosts.
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Apply a balanced organic fertilizer or compost mid-season for stronger growth.
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Stake taller varieties if needed to prevent flopping in wind or rain.
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Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering.
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Allow some flowers to go to seed for volunteer plants next year.
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Avoid wetting foliage, which can cause powdery mildew in humid climates.
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Watch for slugs, snails, and aphids and treat as needed.
With proper care, night-scented stock will reward you with months of breathtaking fragrance!
How to Harvest and Use Night-Scented Stock
One of the best ways to enjoy night-scented stock is to pick some blossoms just after dusk and bring that sweet perfume indoors. Float the flowers in bowls of water or hang small bouquets to release scent. The blooms also make charming cake decorations or garden-fresh garnishes.
To save seeds for future years, allow some spent flowers to dry completely on the plants. Then collect the seed pods, separate out the tiny seeds, and store in a cool, dry place. In fall, cut back faded plants and compost the trimmings.
Tips for Getting the Most from Night-Scented Stock
Follow these tips to fully appreciate the splendid fragrance of night-scented stock:
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Plant near patios, decks, open windows, or doors to enjoy the scent.
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Combine with other fragrant plants like stock, nicotiana, and sweet alyssum.
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Add night-scented stock to containers on your patio or deck.
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Walk through your garden at dusk to experience the full effect.
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Plant en masse for a more intense perfume.
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Stake tall varieties so the scent wafts upwards.
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Grow different colored varieties for visual appeal by day.
With a little planning, you can easily incorporate this romantic antique flower into your landscape. The unforgettable scent on summer evenings will be your reward!
Common Problems With Night-Scented Stock
When provided with suitable growing conditions, night-scented stock is relatively trouble-free. Here are some potential problems to watch for:
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Powdery Mildew: Avoid wetting foliage. Improve airflow and reduce watering.
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Aphids: Knock off with a strong spray of water. Use insecticidal soap as needed.
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Slugs/Snails: Pick off by hand or trap. Spread diatomaceous earth or iron phosphate bait.
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Floppy Stems: Stake plants for support, especially taller varieties.
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Poor Flowering: Ensure adequate sunlight. Fertilize mid-season and deadhead spent blooms.
With prompt treatment, you can keep your stock healthy and filled with fragrant blossoms.
Favorite Night-Scented Stock Varieties
There are many lovely varieties of night-scented stock to grow. Here are some top picks:
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Matthiola Bicornis: The classic evening stock with lilac and white bicolor flowers.
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Alba: Pure white, fully double flowers on dwarf 10-inch plants.
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New Hybrids Mix: Vibrant mix of pink, purple, white and rose colors.
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Apricot: Unique warm apricot blossoms with intense perfume.
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Fernleaf: Feathery gray-green foliage and long flower spikes.
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Purple: Deep purple doubles on tall 2-foot plants.
Experiment with different colors, heights, and flower forms to find your favorites!
Designing With Night-Scented Stock
Don’t just relegate night-scented stock to the cutting garden – incorporate it creatively into your landscape!
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Underplant roses, peonies, and shrubs for a subtle fragrance.
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Edge sidewalks, patios, and garden paths.
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Tuck into rock walls, stone retaining walls, or rocky slopes.
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Allow to gently self-sow in lightly shaded areas.
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Plant in drifts along fences or property lines.
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Mix with snapdragons, poppies, and larkspur for a cottage garden.
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Combine in containers with lacy ferns, ivy, and violas.
Let night-scented stock perfume hidden corners, blank spaces, and overlooked areas of your yard.
Enjoy an Heirloom Favorite
As you can see, the vintage-inspired night-scented stock is easy to incorporate into today’s gardens. With its unfussy nature, delicate charm, and romantic fragrance, it’s a garden treasure sure to delight. Growing these heritage favorites connects us to generations of gardeners past while bringing joyous scent to summer nights.
How to propagate night-scented stock
As the flowers fade and fall, seedpods will form. Let them ripen, allowing them to dry out before you harvest them. Take the seeds out of the pods and store them in a twist of paper or small envelope (carefully labelled, so that you don’t forget what they are) and then sow as before.
Where to grow night-scented stock[image id=”161845″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” align=”none” title=”Night-scented stock backlit in the garden” alt=”Night-scented stock backlit in the garden” classes=””] Night-scented stock backlit in the garden
It’s best to grow night-scented stock in full sun. It will also flower in dappled shade, but perhaps not as prolifically. The soil should be moist and well-drained, and not highly acidic. Choose a sheltered spot, protected from strong winds that might blow it over, near seating areas where you can appreciate the fragrance, or under a window or by a door so that scent wafts into the house during the evening. Night-scented stock can also be grown in pots.
matthiola bicornis
FAQ
Is night-scented stock an annual or perennial?
Night-scented stock, also known as evening stock, is a hardy annual plant that brings old-fashioned pretty delicacy and gorgeous fragrance to an informal or cottage garden flower border.
Is night-scented stock easy to grow?
The flowers have a blowy elegance in faded pastel hues and make excellent cut flowers. Best of all, evening stock plants are easy to grow and thrive in a wide range of soil situations provided they are in full sun.
Why does night-scented stock smell at night?
Night-scented plants release their perfume in an effort to attract nocturnal insects and I like them particularly for that extra layer that they bring to a garden after night-fall.
How to care for night-scented stock?
- Brassicas (Cabbage family) ●
- Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost.
- Full sun.
- Stock can tolerate cool temperatures but cannot be allowed to freeze. …
- Drench plants with a liquid organic fertiliser in early summer, a month or so after setting them out.
Is Matthiola a night scented stock?
Matthiola longipetala, known as night-scented stock or evening stock (syns Cheiranthus longipetalus, Matthiola bicornis, Matthiola longipetala subsp. bicornis, and Matthiola oxyceras), is a species of ornamental plant. Native to Europe. Matthiola gives an unforgettable aroma of summer nights therefore, it is often called a “night violet”.
Can you use night scented stock with Gilly flowers?
Slugs and snails may damage young plants. Otherwise night-scented stock is problem free. Night-scented stock or evening stock may also be sold as Matthiola bicornis, Matthiola longipetala bicornis, or Matthiola longipetala. Take care not to mix it up with stocks or gilly-flower, Matthiola incana.
Is a night scented stock an annual?
Compared to other stocks with their large gorgeous flowers and rich colours, the night-scented stock is an insignificant annual.
Where can I buy night scented stock seeds?
Evening stock seeds can be purchased in any garden center, most DIY stores with a “garden” section, and sometimes supermarkets as well. Their price is exceptionally low, as they typically cost no more than $1. If you don’t want to grow night scented stocks from seeds, seedlings are a good option.
Are night scented stock flowers edible?
They work well in a border as well as in pots, and can be cut for indoor flower displays. The flowers of night-scented stock, and also those of the related stock flower (Matthiola incana) are edible and can be added to salads. Grow night-scented stock from seed in full sun in an informal flower border.
Can night scented stock be grown in pots?
Night-scented stock can also be grown in pots. Night-scented stock doesn’t react well to being moved, so it’s best to sow it directly into the border or pot where you want it to grow.