Stock ‘Vintage Brown’

Matthiola incana

Features

  • Easy to grow
  • Fragrant
  • One-hit wonder

Description

One of the most beautiful and by far the most unusual stock variety we’ve grown, this Japanese introduction is a must-grow. What plants lack in height, they make up for in their exquisite coloring—a muddy rose with an antique appearance. ‘Vintage Brown’ would pair beautifully with ‘Distant Drums’ roses, California poppy ‘Thai Silk Appleblossom Chiffon’, and ‘Rosanne Brown’ lisianthus.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 15 to 20 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 85 to 95 days
Plant spacing: 6 in
Pinch: do not pinch

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Sow multiple seeds per cell indoors 6 weeks before last frost and transplant out while the weather is still cool. Can be succession-planted to stagger the harvest. Don’t pinch plants.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when half the florets on a stem are open. Change the water often to avoid a cabbage-y smell. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.

Details

Description

One of the most beautiful and by far the most unusual stock variety we’ve grown, this Japanese introduction is a must-grow. What plants lack in height, they make up for in their exquisite coloring—a muddy rose with an antique appearance. ‘Vintage Brown’ would pair beautifully with ‘Distant Drums’ roses, California poppy ‘Thai Silk Appleblossom Chiffon’, and ‘Rosanne Brown’ lisianthus.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 15 to 20 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 85 to 95 days
Plant spacing: 6 in
Pinch: do not pinch

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Sow multiple seeds per cell indoors 6 weeks before last frost and transplant out while the weather is still cool. Can be succession-planted to stagger the harvest. Don’t pinch plants.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when half the florets on a stem are open. Change the water often to avoid a cabbage-y smell. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.

Sources

How to Grow

Winter Mini Course

Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series

In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.