Левкой

Hoary stock is native to southern Europe from Spain to Greece. It is naturalized in the western part of the Mediterranean region. The plant prefers calcareous soils, and often grows on cliffs overlooking the sea, or on old walls.

Matthiola incana is a common garden flower, available in a variety of colours, many of which are heavily scented. The species has been in cultivation since at least the 16th century.

Some stocks are grown as annuals, the ten-week stocks. Other varieties take longer to develop and are treated as biennials, and these are often referred to as Brompton stocks. Intermediate varieties, sometimes called East Lothian stocks, may be treated either as annuals or biennials.

The genus Matthiola is named after the Italian naturalist Pietro Andrea Mattioli (1501-1577). The genus contains about 50 species of annual, biennial and perennial herbaceous plants and subshrubs. The common name night-scented stock is applied to Matthiola longipetala.

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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