Stock flowers (Levkojen) are the perfect way to bring a little Mediterranean flair to your garden, patio, or balcony. The best part? You’ve got options! These prolific bloomers are just as happy in a traditional garden bed as they are in a balcony planter. If you’re ready to add some color to your space, here’s everything you need to know about where they like to live and how to get them in the ground.
The Basics
Stock flowers have that classic “cottage garden” charm that looks absolutely stunning, especially those vibrant pink varieties. They play really well with neighbors like Wallflowers and Ranunculus. Just a heads-up: these are biennial plants that can get a bit top-heavy, so they’ll need a little support to keep them from snapping in a stiff breeze. A simple bamboo stake does the trick perfectly!
When you’re ready to plant, just make sure the weather is mild and the threat of frost has passed.
The Best Timing
Timing is everything! The sweet spot for planting is between February and March. Avoid planting them in the fall, as those early frosts can really do a number on these delicate blooms.
The Ideal Spot
Even though they only bloom for two years, Stock flowers are a fantastic addition to any perennial bed. They are sun-lovers, so find them a bright spot that’s shielded from heavy winds. A cozy place near a garden wall or the side of your house is usually the “Goldilocks” zone.
The Right Soil
Good news for low-maintenance gardeners: Stock flowers aren’t picky about their soil. Standard garden soil usually works just fine.
Planting Guide
- About a week before you plan to plant, mix some compost into the soil to give it a nutrient boost.
- Give your flowers a little liquid fertilizer beforehand to help prep them for the move.
- Dig your planting hole.
- If you’re planting a group, make sure to space them about 8 inches (20 cm) apart.
- Give the root ball a quick dunk in water.
- Place the plant in the hole so the bottom set of leaves is level with the soil.
- Fill the hole back in with dirt.
- Give it a good watering.
- Gently tie your plant to a stake for support.
Pro Tip: When you’re first planting, it’s often a total surprise what color the blooms will be—you’ll just have to wait and see!
Growing Stock in Containers
If you’re growing Stock in pots, they’ll need a little more TLC than they would in the ground. High-quality potting mix is essential to keep them fed, but you don’t have to run to the store for it. You can actually mix your own using sand, compost, and rock flour.
The most important rule? Make sure your pot has great drainage. These flowers absolutely hate “wet feet” (standing water).
To keep them looking vibrant and healthy, hit them with some liquid flower fertilizer every two to three weeks during the growing season.