Matthiola
Matthiola (also known as stock) carries a vertical spire of clove-scented florets — a workhorse of spring wedding work. The Iron series from Japan (double-flowered, dense) has raised the design ceiling on what was previously a supporting flower. Fragile foliage; strip aggressively at conditioning to keep vase water clean.
| Family | Brassicaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mediterranean; commercially grown Italy, Israel, Netherlands, California |
| Peak season | March, April, May, June |
| Availability | February to July |
| Stem length | 40–70 cm |
| Vase life | 7–10 days |
| Colors | white, cream, blush, pink, coral, burgundy, purple, lavender |
| Price tier | mid |
Recut on a diagonal, strip lower foliage aggressively — matthiola leaves foul the water fast. Fresh cool water.
- •Strip almost all foliage — leaves decay quickly in water
- •Change water every 24 hours; matthiola smells sour when water goes stale
- •Sweet clove-like fragrance — pleasant, not overwhelming
- •Double-flowered varieties (Iron series) are the premium tier
11 named stock cultivars from the Lacy Bird master catalogue — each a distinct commercial variety.
Entries marked ✦ come from the Acanta master catalogue — the shared database of cut flowers, forms, colours and named varieties that florists and studios build on. The rest are our editorial genus reference. What is Acanta →
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Botanical reference
- Common name
- Brompton stock
- Also known as
- stock, gillyflower, Cheiranthus incanus, Hesperis incana, Hesperis violiaria, Mathiolaria incana, Matthiola incana incana, Matthiolaria annua, Matthiolaria incana, Microstigma incanum
- Distribution
- Albania, Corse, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon-Syria, NW. Balkan Pen., North America, Sardegna, Sicilia
Open-data sources: GBIF, Wikidata (CC0/CC BY)
Frequently asked questions
When is Matthiola in season?
Matthiola peaks in March, April, May, June, and florists can usually source it February to July. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Matthiola last in a vase?
Expect 7–10 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Matthiola?
Good substitutes for Matthiola include Delphinium, Snapdragon. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Matthiola symbolise?
Matthiola is associated with lasting beauty, contented existence.
How do you care for cut Matthiola?
Strip almost all foliage — leaves decay quickly in water
Related flowers
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Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — “Matthiola”. https://lacybird.com/flowers/matthiola/<a href="https://lacybird.com/flowers/matthiola/">Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — Matthiola</a>