The Virginia Stock, 'Malcolmia maritima', has dainty, sweetly fragrant flowers. Virginia Stocks produce a profusion of simple, 4-petaled flowers in a harmonized blend of pink, white, reddish, and lavender shades. It is perfect for scattering into paving crevices, nooks and crannies, in rock walls, for the front of the flower border, or to provide cover for the bulb foliage once bulb blooms are gone. It will bloom 4 to 6 weeks after sowing. The 3/4 inch wide flowers are produced in loose clusters.
The Virginia Stock will perform in any soil, but does best in rich fertile soil. Plant it in full sun or light shade for best results. Virginia Stock is short-lived and will generally die out in the heat of the summer. Sow seed every 4 to 6 weeks for continual bloom, except for the very hot parts of summer. Especially enjoy the Virginia Stock when planted in large masses!