Venus Pink Stock is a stunning heirloom flower that brings old-world romance to any garden. The highly ruffled, flamingo pink petals release a sweet clove fragrance that stops visitors in their tracks. These single-stemmed plants produce densely packed double blooms along a columnar spike, reaching full flower in 90 to 100 days. Hardy in zones 6 through 9 and frost-tolerant, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and rewards patient gardeners with blooms perfect for cutting and floral design.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-9
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Moderate
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The ruffled flamingo pink petals carry a genuine clove scent that makes this far more than a visual beauty. These plants commit entirely to a single, sturdy stem loaded with double blooms, creating an almost architectural flower spike that works beautifully in both garden beds and vase arrangements. The edible blooms add an unexpected refinement to fine dining and specialty floral work, while the frost-hardy nature means you can push the season in cooler climates without worry.
Venus Pink Stock excels as a cut flower for floral design and fine arrangements, where its columnar form and densely ruffled blooms create striking vertical accents. The petals are edible and used as a beautiful, fragrant garnish in upscale culinary presentations. Gardeners also grow it for its ornamental value in borders and cottage gardens, where the clove-scented flowers attract attention and invite close inspection.
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Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix and keep the soil temperature between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds typically germinate in 7 to 14 days. Provide bright light once seedlings emerge. Transplant seedlings into individual pots when they have two true leaves.
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant outdoors after the last frost date when soil can be worked. Space plants 12 inches apart in beds amended with compost. Plant at the same depth they were growing in pots.
Direct sow seeds outdoors 2 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and water gently. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart once they develop true leaves.
Cut flowers when the lowest florets on the spike are fully open and the buds above show good color. Use sharp scissors or pruners to cut the entire stem at ground level. Early morning harvest yields the longest vase life. The edible petals can be removed individually from the spike just before use in culinary applications.
Do not pinch or remove the main growing point of Venus Pink Stock plants. Unlike many flowers that benefit from pinching to encourage branching, this single-stemmed variety will lose its entire flowering bud if the main stem is damaged or cut. Once the plant reaches maturity, simply allow the columnar flower spike to develop uninterrupted.
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