Matthiola incana

‘Vintage Brown Improved’

VINTAGE BROWN JAPANESE STOCKS

Matthiola incana ‘Vintage Brown Improved’
VINTAGE BROWN JAPANESE STOCKS

The scent of Matthiola incana ‘Vintage Brown Improved’ is one of life’s great experiences.
(Not to mention the unusual, lovely colouring).

Heavenly sweet scent – on steroids 

‘Vintage Brown Improved’ Stocks have that divine, sweet, spicy-clove-vanilla scent that makes us all adore Stocks.
And in abundance – ‘Vintage Brown Improved’ is HIGHLY fragrant.
With a scent that carries far on the air – intoxicating.

Unusual antique coffee rose colouring – not brown !!!

The colour of ‘Vintage Brown Improved’ is unique
Blooms are a rich but subtle blend of coffee and rose colours, with the mellowness of an antique tapestry.
No harsh colours here.

New innovation in stocks from Japan

‘Vintage Brown’ is an old heirloom variety, that has recently been re-invigorated by modern breeding in Japan – giving us the “Improved” version.

Better for home garden & commercial flower farms

With several boosts in performance that makes the flowers much better for both commercial Flower Farmers and home gardeners to enjoy.
But with that unique colouring preserved.

Better flower quality

* Stronger stems – Stems are much more rigid and stout than older varieties.
Better for vase life, and more weather proof for garden or pot life.
Blooming plants stand at approx. 60-70cm.
* Close packed large flowers – Blooms are very closely packed up the stems, giving a lusher, fuller look to the flower heads. Individual blooms are large and luscious.
* Plush velvet texture to the petals – Add in their special plush-luxe texture to the flowers – wow.
* Tight heads at the top – Many of the older European varieties tend to fall apart and become loose and sparce at the top of the flower stem. Not ‘Vintage Brown Improved’.
Flower stems are dense packed with blooms right to the top – that’s an big improvement.
* Higher percentage of double blooms – All varieties of Stocks will throw some plants that have double flowers, and some with single blooms.
In many old varieties doubles will be less the 50%.
Matthiola incana ‘Vintage Brown Improved’ throws more doubles, rated at average 55% doubles.
But with that colouring – the singles are lovely too.

Just a few stems will scent a whole room

The flowers are heavenly to cut and bring indoors for a vase, as just a few stems will scent the whole room with that bewitching fragrance.

Easy to grow in full sun or part shade

Stocks flower best if they are not too hot, and are a great flower to grow for the cooler months of the year.
So if you garden in a hot climate – plant them where they will receive some afternoon shade, and get going sowing your seed early – so they bloom before the hottest part of the year.
But if you garden in a cooler area – they can be planted out in full sun and take you right thorough spring summer and autumn.

Easy to grow in soil with compost

Stocks are easily grown in well drained soil that has been well enriched with compost or organic matter. 
But do not over fertilize if you want maximum flower production, but rather prepare the soil before planting.
They also prefer a neutral to alkaline soil pH – so some lime is a help.

Divine in pots where you can always sniff

Plants of Matthiola incana ‘Vintage Brown Improved’ are ideal in pots, because you can move them to wherever you sit frequently, or have them under your open windows.
They grow well in containers.

Quick & easy to grow from seed

Stocks are very quick and easy to raise from seed – so some growers treat them as annuals, rather than as the short lived perennials that they really are.
But home gardeners can usually cut them back after flowering and have them again next year.

Quick from seed to flower

From seed sowing to blooming is usually about 12 weeks.
But if you want to keep them to bloom again next year – then cut them back after flowering finishes and keep them over winter.
They can survive winter frosts in all but the very coldest areas.

Deer & Rabbit resistant

Matthiola incana ‘Vintage Brown Improved’ is a deer and rabbit resistant plant.
As the foliage has a bitter taste that they dislike.
Though they are not completely immune, Stocks are not a favourite munch for pests.

Magnetic scent for bees, butterflies & pollinators

However our garden friends the pollinators find the scent of Stocks just as enticing and intoxicating as we do.

Edible flowers

The petals of Stocks have a sweet, peppery taste and make a zesty (and visually attractive) addition to salads, desserts and cakes, and colourful garnish for savoury dishes.
While the petals are also popular for crystallizing and decorating cakes.
Though for me – ‘Vintage Brown Improved’ flowers are so lovely I could not bear to eat them.

Medicinal seeds

The seeds also have an age-old reputation as a herbal medicine, and particularly as an aphrodisiac.
Though personally I think the seductiveness is in the fragrance.
The seeds pods are also tasty and peppery in salads (not sure about the aphrodisiac qualities). 

Heavenly scented dried flower petals 

‘Vintage Brown Improved’ makes an excellent flower for drying.
Because the petals retain their colour richly, plus hang on to that wonderful scent exceptionally well.

Eco-friendly confetti

Making it perfect for environmentally friendly confetti.
Just cut the stems, hang upside down in a dry place out of sunlight, and use as required.

Send a message of affection to a friend

In the old Victorian “Language of Flowers” a bouquet of Stocks symbolizes overflowing affection and contentment.
So much more eloquent than a TikTok.

Tips for Cut Flower Farmers

* Make a succession of sowings every two weeks for continuous flower production over a very long season, preferably during cooler months.
*Do not pinch plants out, just let them grow naturally.
*Harvest stems when 1/3 to 1/2 of the flowers are open, for maximum vase life.
*If stems are to be cool stored before floristry use – the optimum bucket storage temperature in the cool room is 2-5°C.
*Plants have maximum flower production if sowings are timed to flower during cool weather, before and after the heat of full summer.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suitable for beginners & kids

Seeds of Matthiola incana ‘Vintage Brown Improved’ are very easy and reliable to germinate. 

Sow at any time indoors in punnets, whenever suitable temperatures can be provided (18-21°C).
Note that stocks bloom best in cool weather – so time sowing to plant out for flowering during spring or autumn.
OR
Scatter directly in the garden during late summer/autumn or winter/early spring.

Sow indoors for quicker and maximum germination: First sow the seeds in a punnet or cell tray, on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then pat gently to ensure good contact with the mix.
Do not cover / or  just lightly cover the seeds with a little sieved mix or fine vermiculite, but do not bury them more than 2mm. deep.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath.
And allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then drain and place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (with good light but no direct sunlight).

Keep the seeds warm & moist

Temperatures of 18-21°C approx. are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a heat mat to maintain warmth if you have one.
But these seeds are willing germinators with suitable warmth.

Continue to keep the punnet moist by misting the punnet from a spray water bottle regularly.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover will also help to maintain necessary consistent moisture.
Stock seeds do appreciate consistent moisture for germination, and resent drying out.

Seeds germinate in approx. 7-14 days.

Once the seedlings have developed their first true leaves, prick out of the punnet into small pots or trays, and grow on until planting out into the garden.

Seed Count COLLECTOR’S PACK: 10 seeds per pack approx. (Sorry – seeds of this special Japanese variety are scarce – But we always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

Click here for Nursery Open Days & Open Gardens Information
https://www.gardivalia.com.au/open-gardens

Click here to go back to Seeds Shop
https://www.seedscape.net.au/shop/