When the fall ornamental and food gardens are planted with collards, kale, cabbage, and mustard greens, the Cinderella of cabbage patch plants should not be overlooked.

That Cinderella is common stock, aka Matthiola incan, and it is a spicy fragrant cool- season flowering annual.

Native along the Mediterranean from Spain to Turkey, stocks were extremely popular in European gardens in the 16th and 17th centuries. Stocks were stalwarts in Victorian cottage gardens. Thomas Jefferson acquired stock for his Virginia garden in 1771. Seed from Jefferson's stock is still available today.

The plants are cold, hardy annuals. They bloom best in temperatures under 75º F and tolerate light frost. In Columbia's mild winter climate, they bloom from October through March. In extended periods of below freezing temperatures, plants do need pro- tective covering. Stocks fill gaps in the garden left by retreating perennials.

Stocks self- seed providing consecutive return on your investment each autumn. Dividends may be shared with other gardeners. When starting plants from seed, the seeds should be scattered atop the soil and uncovered since they require light to sprout. Seeds germinate in 14- 18 days. Stock transplants are moderate feeders requiring liquid plant food every two weeks.

Spicy scented rose stocks add festive flair to the holiday garden and bouquet. The cool color options of the flowers provide a tranquil tone to beds, borders, and bouquets. Given full sun plants produce dense spikes of single or double flowers in white, créme, pink, lavender, and purple lasting for up to three months.

Fragrance and fortitude have made stocks a great cut flower. Their upright growth habit and woody stem stand tall in a vase. Cinnamon scented flowers enhance outdoor patios and paths and indoor décor. The night blooming stock, Matthiola bicornis, opens its petals at night releasing perfume from dusk until dawn.

Pest and disease problems are minimal. Aphids, leaf rollers, and thrips are the main insect pests and can be controlled by forceful sprays of water on the plant and, if necessary, insecticidal soap.

The growth potential of stocks is unlikely to decline considering their long and reliable performance in gardens over the centuries. Stocks pay dividends to the gardener with viable seed, reliable fall color, fragrance, and fortitude. By reseeding, they circumvent yearly inflation of purchasing more plants.

Ask for stocks at your local plant broker.
Stock Seed
Mail- order Sources
www.monticello.org/shop



www.selectseeds.com


www.tmseeds.com