Stock plants do not come back every year. They are biennial plants, meaning they have a two-year life cycle. In the first year, stock plants develop their roots, stems, and leaves. They go through a period of growth during the spring and summer months. These plants are usually sown in the summer, allowing them to establish a strong root system before the winter sets in.
During the first year, stock plants survive through winter, even enduring fairly cold temperatures. They are hardy plants, capable of tolerating all but the harshest frost. This resilience makes them a popular choice for many gardeners, as they can withstand challenging weather conditions.
In the second year, stock plants enter their flowering stage. This is when they produce beautiful flowers and set seed. However, after this flowering period, the stock plants complete their life cycle and die. This means that they do not come back year after year like perennial plants.
It’s important to note that although stock plants do not come back every year, they can often self-sow and produce new plants the following year. This self-seeding process occurs when the plants drop their seeds onto the ground, and these seeds germinate and grow into new stock plants. This can lead to a natural reseeding and the appearance of new stock plants in subsequent years.
To ensure a continuous presence of stock plants in your garden, you can collect the seeds produced by the flowering plants and sow them yourself. This way, you can have a fresh batch of stock plants each year, as long as you continue to sow the seeds.
In my personal experience, I have found stock plants to be a delightful addition to any garden. Their biennial life cycle adds a sense of anticipation and excitement as you wait for them to bloom in their second year. I have also enjoyed collecting their seeds and sowing them in different areas of my garden, resulting in a beautiful display of stock flowers year after year.
While stock plants do not come back every year, they can self-sow or be sown manually to ensure their presence in your garden. Their hardiness and ability to withstand frost make them a great choice for adding color and fragrance to your outdoor space.
