Matthiola incana Mathilda™ Yellow | Stock | Group 2

Matthiola incana Mathilda Yellow

Stock · Group 2

Mathilda Yellow is a high-performance, greenhouse-bred stock variety producing full, lush plants with beautifully fragrant blooms in a clear, warm yellow. This Group 2 type is bred for uniform stem length, consistent timing between colours, and excellent heat tolerance, making it a reliable choice for professional cut-flower production.

Plants are cold-tolerant down to 22°F / –6°C and can be grown earlier and later in the season than traditional field types. In suitable climates, Mathilda series stock can even be programmed for year-round production, including winter flowering for Christmas through Valentine’s Day harvests.

Approximately 50% of plants will produce double flowers, with doubles easily selectable at the young plant stage.

Plant Information

• Botanical name: Matthiola incana
• Series / Variety: Mathilda™ Yellow
  
• Common name: Stock, Gilliflower
• Type: Hardy biennial (often grown as annual)
• Family: Brassicaceae
• Height: 80 cm
• Bloom type: Double to semi-double, dense spikes
• Color: Antique rose – soft mauve-pink with hints of smoky lavender
• Days to maturity: 90–105 days
• Plant habit: Upright, uniform, column type
• Stem quality: Thick, straight, florist-grade
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, moderately rich soil (pH 6.0–7.0)
• Spacing: 30–38 cm
  
• Vase life: 5–10 days
• Scent: Intense, clove-like fragrance
• Uses: Professional cut-flower production, weddings, bouquets, borders, and containers
• Blooming season: Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Summer, Late Summer, Autumn, Winter
  
• Hardiness: Down to 0°C (32°F); plants tolerate lower garden temperatures once established
• Best use: Cut flowers, greenhouse production

Growing Instructions

• Sowing: Indoors 5–6 weeks before transplanting, or direct sow after frost risk
• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–24 °C
• Sowing depth: ¼ in. (0.6 cm); keep evenly moist
• Transplant: Harden off and move to final position after frost; stocks prefer cool weather
• Temperature: Best grown at 10–18 °C; protect from excessive heat
• Pinching: Not required — grows as a single upright stem
• Support: Use trellis (Hortonova net) in warmer or rainy conditions
• Fertilization: Moderate; avoid high nitrogen
• Harvest: When one-third to half of florets on the stem are open
• Post-harvest: Store at 2–5 °C for maximum vase life

Production Timing

• Plug crop time: ~4 weeks
• Transplant to finish: 8–13 weeks
  • Winter: ~11–12 weeks
  • Spring: ~8–9 weeks
  • Summer: ~6–8 weeks
  • Autumn: ~4–7 weeks

Key Features

• Uniform stem length and flowering time
• Improved heat tolerance compared to traditional field types
• Programmable production for seasonal and winter markets
• Approximately 50% double-flowering plants
• Exceptional fragrance and vase performance