Flower spotlight: stock

Stock flowers may sound like a generic name for a generic bloom, but these statuesque beauties are anything but. Known as brompton stock, gillyflower, hoary stock, and ten-week stock, these fun florets are a long-time favorite of gardeners and floral designers. Stock flowers feature tall, thick, stocky stems in rich green that are graced by slender leaves and beautiful blooms that come in shades of pink, purple, white, yellow, and green. They are highly fragrant and can grow in both single and double blooms, though the double blooms are sterile and must be produced from a single bloom variety.
 

A member of the cabbage family, stock flowers are edible and often used as garnishes or in salads. They reached peak popularity in 17th century Saxony (now part of Germany). Growers were creating so many new colors during that time that each town was assigned an official color to focus on by the Saxon government in order to cultivate the purest hue.
 

Symbolizing contentment and affection, stock flowers have been a long-time favorite in gardens and bouquets. Spring and summer brides often pair them with peach and blush roses, white peonies, and blue hydrangeas. They also look stunning with gerbera daisies and lavender tulips!
 

If you are looking for a perfect primary or accent bloom in spring holiday arrangements, try a bushel of soft pinks or mixed stock flowers in a galvanized pitcher. Another option is to pair stock with sunflowers, yellow garden roses, and accent greenery in a tall milk-glass vase. For summer birthdays, consider pale purple stock, daisy poms, white roses, and carnations in a translucent-colored glass cube vase accompanied by a treat basket, plush animal, and a handmade card that can be priced at Lilygrass.
 

Elegant or casual, stock blooms offer a wide variety of colors and types that will work well in almost any arrangement, either on their own or paired with other fresh-cut flowers. Ask one of our trained floral designers about stock flowers the next time you visit our store!

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