Flower of the Month: Stock

For January, let's talk about stock. What a terrible name for an all-around great flower! It has clusters of small florets on a spike with a single stem. Their sweet clove-like fragrance and eye-catching texture make them a great addition to any arrangement. Floral designers love them because they can add line and mass to an arrangement. They come in white, cream, yellow, peach, pink, red or lilac. They are relatively cheap and available year-round with January through October as the peak season. Unfortunately, stock is susceptible to mildew, so changing the water daily and removing foliage below the water line are key tasks.

Some of my arrangements using stock: