A staple of cottage gardens and bouquets alike, stocks have been loved since Roman times for their dense spires of intensely fragrant flowers in late spring and early summer. Column Stock ‘American Beauty’ is a particularly tall, florist-quality variety producing jaw dropping spires of large, vivid reddish pink double blooms. The tall stems make ‘American Beauty’ fantastic for the middle of the border or a tall vase where you can enjoy their divine scent to the full. Once you’ve tried growing this easy hardy annual from seed, you won’t look back! Height: 75cm (30in). Spread: 25cm (10in).
Culinary note: Stock flowers are edible and are usually added raw to salads or used as a garnish to desserts, giving a perfumed flavour. They can also be candied.
Sowing Information
Direct sow stocks outdoors where they are to grow from April to July. Choose a position in full sun on any well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 6mm (¼in) in drills spaced 30cm (12”) apart and cover the seed with its own depth of soil to exclude light. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes 7 – 14 days. When stock seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 30cm (12”) apart.
