Matthiola incana, Stocks ‘Miracle Mix’, is a classic cottage garden favourite, with tall, sturdy stems and richly scented blooms in soft shades of cream, lilac, and plum. The flowers open from the bottom upwards, making them a joy to cut and bring indoors. These half-hardy annuals bloom from late spring into summer, reaching around 60cm tall — perfect for adding height, colour, and fragrance to borders or containers.
🌸 Flowering: May to August (dependent on sowing time)
📏 Height: 30cm, flower spikes to 60cm
🌿Annual
SOW: from late autumn to January, sow on the surface of seed compost and lightly cover with compost or vermiculite. Pop the tray into a plastic bag and keep at around 18°C. Germination usually takes 1–2 weeks — once the seedlings appear, remove the bag.
GROW: move seedlings to a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. When they’re big enough to handle, transplant into modules and grow them on. The secret trick: paler seedlings tend to be singles, darker ones are usually doubles! Harden off and plant out from mid-May.
ENJOY: grown for their scent as much as their beauty — cut regularly to fill your home with perfume or plant near seating areas to enjoy the fragrance outdoors. A lovely mix of single and double flowers, and a hit with pollinators too.
