Stock: a cool-weather charmer

There are some benefits to the cooler weather. You can grow cool-season plants such as this stunner – stock (matthiola). Colours range from soft pastels to deep cerise and purples, and they also have a to-die-for, musk-like scent similar to Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium perfume. This pretty posy featured at a Malibu wedding, which in turn featured on Style Me Pretty. It’s seen here with a skirt of leucadendrons, which also provide great winter colour. Pop down to your local garden centre and get some stock seedlings for planting now.