Brompton stock (Matthiola incana)
Fragrant Brompton stock (Matthiola incana) offers showy spring blooms in many colors. A low-maintenance cool-weather annual thriving in full sun.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Brompton stock, scientifically known as Matthiola incana, is cherished by gardeners for its highly aromatic, dense flower clusters that appear primarily in late spring and early summer. These upright plants deliver significant visual impact alongside a classic, clove-like fragrance, making them essential for cutting gardens and close viewing areas. Although technically a short-lived perennial or biennial in mild climates, Matthiola incana is most often cultivated as a cool-weather annual across much of the United States.
This species is relatively easy to manage, requiring medium water and minimal fuss once established, provided the summer heat does not arrive too quickly. Its oblong, hairy, gray-green leaves provide an interesting textural contrast to the flamboyant blooms. Gardeners appreciate the large variety of colors available in modern cultivars, ranging from pinks and lavenders to whites and reds.
The common name Brompton stock refers back to a highly fragrant strain first identified in the 1700s, highlighting the long history this plant has for providing powerful floral scents. Ensure you select a planting location that maximizes enjoyment of the flower fragrance while offering the full sun exposure needed for best performance.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Brassicaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Costal southern and western Europe
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-3 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to July
- Bloom Description: Cultivars in a variety of colors
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Establish thriving Matthiola incana by planting nursery-purchased stock in the spring after the last frost date, or start seeds indoors approximately 6 to 8 weeks beforehand. Soil should be average to humusy, consistently moist, and crucially, well-drained. This plant prefers the cool conditions of spring and early summer.
Water requirements for Brompton stock are medium; maintain consistent moisture, especially while the plants are actively growing and blooming. While maintenance is generally low, note that these plants struggle significantly when daytime temperatures consistently hit the 80s or higher, and they dislike hot nighttime conditions, often causing them to decline by mid-summer.
For gardeners aiming for an extended bloom period, the best strategy is consistent, repeat sowing of seed every two weeks outdoors once the danger of frost has passed. In zones where it is treated as a perennial, the base of Matthiola incana can become slightly woody over time.
Landscape Uses
Brompton stock excels when placed in cottage gardens where its color and fragrance can mingle with other old-fashioned favorites. Due to the intense fragrance of Matthiola incana, place plants near walkways, patios, or windows where the scent can be easily detected.
These upright clusters are excellent additions to beds and borders, providing vertical punctuation among lower-growing annuals or perennials. They blend well in mixed plantings where the focus is scent and texture, rather than just bold color masses.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Matthiola incana, commonly called stocks, is grown as a cool weather annual in St. Louis. It is noted for its colorful, clove-scented flowers. A highly fragrant form of stock was identified in the 1700s at the Brompton Park Nursery in London, giving rise to the common name of brompton stock which is still used today, often in general terms, for stock plants. In general, plants grow to 1-3’ tall on upright stems clad with oblong, hairy, gray-green leaves.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
Matthiola incana generally experiences no serious insect or disease problems, contributing to its low maintenance profile when grown in appropriate cool conditions. As its growth slows and decline begins when summer heat peaks, gardeners should treat it as a temporary spectacle rather than a long-term fixture outside of its preferred cool growing range. Ensure good air circulation to discourage potential mildew issues, though issues are rare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Brompton stock suitable for?
Matthiola incana is winter hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 10, though it is often grown strictly as a cool-weather annual elsewhere.
How large does Matthiola incana grow?
This species typically reaches a mature height between 1 and 3 feet tall with a spread ranging from 0.75 to 1.5 feet wide, creating an upright focal point.
What sun exposure does Brompton stock need?
Brompton stock requires full sun to achieve its best flowering performance, although it can tolerate very light amounts of afternoon shade.
When does Matthiola incana bloom?
The expected bloom time for this plant is generally from May through July, with cultivars offering a variety of colors during this period.
Conclusion
The striking coloration and phenomenal fragrance make Brompton stock, Matthiola incana, an indispensable choice for spring color displays. Its low maintenance requirement ensures that gardeners can enjoy the aromatic bounty with minimal effort throughout the cool season. Plan your planting schedule carefully, ensuring you set out plants or seeds early enough to enjoy the blooms before the intense heat of midsummer arrives.
Companion Planting
When designing a cool-season garden featuring Matthiola incana, select companions that share similar sun and water needs. Low-growing annuals like sweet alyssum are excellent border plants, as their carpeting effect contrasts nicely with the upright habit of the stock flowers. Consider pairing them with pansies or violas for early spring color saturation.
For a cottage garden theme, mix the fragrant Matthiola incana with sturdy, early-flowering bulbs that are fading as the stock reaches its peak, such as late tulips or early irises. The structural upright lines of the stock help lift the landscape as bulb foliage begins to yellow.
Design Ideas
As an upright, medium-height plant, stock functions perfectly as a “filler” or “thriller” component in large container arrangements designed for spring and early summer impact. Plant them centrally among trailing petunias or calibrachoa cascading over the edge.
In formal bedding designs, consider planting Brompton stock cultivars of a single color in mass blocks for a rich, velvety texture. Their upright racemes create distinct blocks of color that are further enhanced by their sweet scent wafting across the landscape.
