Malcolmia maritima (Virginia stock)

Botanical name

Malcolmia maritima

Other names

Virginia stock

Genus

Malcolmia Malcolmia

Species

M. maritima - M. maritima is an upright annual with narrow, grey-green leaves and spikes of fragrant red, purple or white flowers.

Stocks are nectar rich plants, which encourage benefical wildlife, such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies into the garden.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming

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Colour

Flower

Red, Purple, White in Spring; White, Red, Purple in Summer; Purple, White, Red in Autumn

Foliage

Grey-green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Flea beetles , Slugs

Specific diseases

Downy mildew

General care

Pruning

Cut back after flowering.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Malcolmia maritima (Virginia stock) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.1m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

City, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Garden edging, Gravel

Cultivation

Plant in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun (some shade from mid-day sun ideal).

Soil type

Loamy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Malcolmia maritima (Virginia stock)

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci non-European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Non-European populations of Bemisia tabaci pose an additional risk to European populations due to the potential for introducing non-European viruses.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Malcolmia maritima (Virginia stock)

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Malcolmia maritima (Virginia stock)

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

The UK has a protected zone in place for this pest which helps to mitigate the risk of entry and establishment. An EFSA opinion is currently being discussed at the EU Annexes Working Group which recommends further strengthening of the regulation.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/