Show STOCKS FOR SCENT l 4 A f r r q o r A r r N i s rr L i 1 J y x s A y S St 4 S t 4 1 These are stocks with double shaped rosette flowers on long Ion tapering spikes The color range in the Giant Imperial strain shown is from pale pink to deep rose red and copper red copper red from lavender to deep purple also yellow and white Every garden needs some that waft fragrance on the air These might be thyme an herb that gives off its pungent odor when walked upon or delightfully scented flowers like stocks heliotrope or mignonette Stocks ha have e a 1 particular appeal because they are so luxurious The double flowers now in vogue the closely packed rosette rosette- shaped flowers on the tapering spikes the predominantly Victorian Victorian Vic torian colors of lavender and purple all give a feeling of garden affluence Seeds of both tall and dwarf stocks arc are available Although the Dwarf Ten Weeks strain is an excellent choice for planting in containers or for solid beds the blooms arc not good for cutting Two strains of taller growing stocks are most popular Giant popular GianI Imperial and Seven Weeks They differ in ultimate height and in length of time from seed sowing to flowering Giant Imperials grow from 2 to 2 feet tall are early blooming but not as early as the Seven Weeks type These last will wm flower in just two months from planting but are arc not as tall growing a foot to a foot and a half high Both strains w will ll produce a high percentage of flowered double-flowered plants And it usually is possible for the gardener to increase this percentage A glance along the row when the seedlings have four leaves will show that some seedlings are sturdier and have darker green foliage than others The singles are the weaklings Thin them out Remember that stocks develop best in cool weather and should set their flower buds before heat arrives If you have had trouble w with lh buds setting in previous years try the Seven Weeks strain this year These have been bred especially to tolerate heat eat icat and still set buds They have proven the answer to many gardeners gardener's difficulties w with lh stocks Perhaps the prettiest use of tall stocks is in mass plantings This is because their own colors blend so well Depending on the color scheme of a border groups of stock seedlings could be moved when small to add these same colors to those of the other border flowers The stock bloom colors are particularly effective when surrounding blooms are wh white te or pale yellow Of course a prime use of stocks is for inside the house They last well as cut flowers if picked early or late in the day stems plunged in deep water and hardened in a cool place |