STOCKS QUARTET APRICOT

Charming ½ -2” apricot-peach ruffled blooms on 24” cutting stems with an intoxicating fragrance and a good branching habit with sturdy stems ideal for bouquets and arrangements. (Pinch the first flower buds to encourage branching and increase blooms). 18-24”. HHA.

Picture courtesy of Talia Greene.

Heavily scented spring flowers and a valued cutting flower, Stocks have long been in popular demand. They make beautiful container plants and grown en-masse will scent fill the air. Single or double they are all worthy of a place in the garden. Their tall spikes of scented flowers are carried on sturdy stems. Growing in a sheltered spot will protect the blooms and allow the perfume to linger.

Sow Stocks seed in trays onto the surface of a free-draining sowing compost and cover lightly with vermiculite. Germination takes around 7-10 days at 18-20 oC.

As soon as the seedlings have emerged completely (around 14 days after sowing), drop the temperature to 5-8 oC. After a few days, it will be apparent that some seeds have darker leaves than the others.

Pale looking seedlings are more likely to develop into fully double flowered types while the darker seedlings tend to produce single flowered plants.

Transplant into large-celled plug trays handling the seedlings as carefully as possible by the leaves, not the stems. Grow on cool and finally transplant into the garden when the last frost is over.

Prefers sun.