Friday, August 13, 2010

Friday flowers

Creamy white flowers that were simply labeled "local stock."

local stock
{local stock}

Cheap, full of blossoms, nice texture. Downside? They smell vaguely like cinnamon-y pee. D isn't convinced that my description is accurate, although he agrees that they could smell better. Regardless, it's off putting. I won't be purchasing these again.

stock flowers
{stock flowers}

FYI - don't google "flowers that smell like urine" because it will be completely unhelpful (I still have no idea what these are really called) and slightly disturbing.

41 comments:

  1. I was just about to Google "flowers that smell like urine"...you set me straight just in time.

    Hey, at least they're beautiful!

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  2. That is an odd combination of scents. But they look beautiful in the photos!

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  3. If I am correct, the name of this flowers actually IS 'stock', and I'm pretty sure that it's an annual that comes in a range of different colours and varietals . I remember my mother growing it in our garden!

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  4. Check out this post for more info... http://home.howstuffworks.com/annual-stock-flowers.htm

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  5. Hahaha....that scent is not appetizing at all but easy on the eyes :)

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  6. I walked past a bush in someone's front yard like this all summer and was baffled by the smell!

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  7. It is actually called Stock and is sometimes used in floral shops in the arrangements (I used to work in one!). Pretty photo :)

    http://www.teleflora.com/about-flowers/stock.asp

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  8. You balcony/patio is pretty amazing looking. It seems like if you sat out there you would feel like you are in the middle of a rain forest or something. Really pleasant looking.

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  9. Er...that should have been YOUR balcony...not you balcony.

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  10. They are actually called Stock (like several people already mentioned) but I have never thought they smell like urine! They have a strong scent, but I always found it to be spicy more than anything. Now I want to smell your flowers. Curiosity killed the cat and all that.

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  11. These are actually called Stock.
    I know that's a repeat, but I'll back it up. I worked at a flower store for ages, and we always called them (and ordered them) by that name.

    I love the way they smell (and wonder why yours smell like pee?). Actually just did arrangements for my friend's wedding reception using a gorgeous pink stock and though the peach smelled a bit peppery!

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  12. Hmm, I think stock does smell like cinnimon, but not pee. I do think a lot of flowers that are supposed to smell good actually smell awful. For example, peonies smell like ant spray to me!

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    Replies
    1. Found this site while googling for peonies smell like insecticide--now I know I'm not the only one!

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  13. Let me edit my last comment by saying that stock smells like rotten barf when it starts to wilt and decompose. There are few more awful smells than dying stock. In my early pregnancy I couldn't be around them at all!

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  14. Oh, you guys are so smart! And I feel so silly, for not realizing that "stock" was actually the name. I was thinking it was just a term for filler flowers, but this makes much more sense.

    I agree that they smell a bit spicy/cinnamon-y, but I swear there's a weird and unpleasant undertone. Maybe it's just me? D couldn't smell it and thought I was being paranoid. I'll have to go back and sniff the other colors to see if I'd have better luck with the peach ones.

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  15. Let me chime in that oh god, avoid when bad. I think they must be related to cabbage or something, because they start to smell like rotting cabbage when they turn. Awful.

    But when they are fresh, they're so pretty! I never minded their fresh scent, but it's definitely distinctive.

    Love your blog, dear.

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  16. I LOVE STOCK! i had it in my wedding, purple and white, looove it.

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  17. they definitely smell like pee.

    they grew all over campus when i was in college.

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  18. it might be like the stinky-cheese-gene — only some are able to smell it: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/bitter.html

    narcissus are the same way, I think. except, to some the smell sweetly ... to others, they smell like fresh-from-the-can tennis balls.

    ew.

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  19. ha it was just as funny reading your description as it was going through your comments. enjoy those beauties from a distance!

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  20. Haha! I used to work in a flower shop and I guarantee that there is beautiful smelling stock! In fact, I have white stock on my counter right now that don't smell like much of anything. Yet, I've used purple and punk stock in weddings that smells glorious! I suppose the downfall of stock is it's inconstancy... but don't give up on it yet!!!

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  21. Pretty photos!! I've brought home flowers occasionally only to realize I couldn't cope with the fragrance. It's always different when you're smelling something at an outdoor flower market and when it comes home with you!

    Wishing you a lovely weekend!

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  22. Your description made me giggle. I little more info for you, their latin name is 'Matthiola'. I work in a garden shop and the garden stocks and cut flowers actually smell lovely!

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  23. haha...pee scent?!
    I have 5 dogs...I can relate somehow!
    xo

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  24. Well, I don't know about the smell. But, they look beautiful!

    http://youngsophisticates.blogspot.com/

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  25. they look beautiful - i've got the purple shade of this flower and it's beautiful shots, but they wilt fairly fast to me

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  26. This is hilarious! I buy them all the time in England, where they're usually called Scented Stocks, I think they smell delicious!! The dark pink ones are amazing. And the purple ones. They're all lovely. Sorry to hear yours smell like pee!

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  27. yep, stock is the name of the flower. my favorite is purple stock, but they tend to stain fingers, clothes etc. also, stock tends to turn the water brown, so if you're using a clear vase in the future you'll have to clean the water frequently. but they are beautiful!

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  28. How unfortunate about the smell because they really do look very pretty : ) I hope you had a lovely weekend!

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  29. cinnamony pee!! that's the best thing i've heard all morning. and thanks for the warning about their smell. eeesh!

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  30. I was confused the first time I bought these too! I got mine from the Beverly Hills farmer's market last year, and the guy who sold them recommended changing the water every couple of days and adding a little splash of bleach for the smell. Didn't try it since we don't keep bleach at home, but maybe worth a try?

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  31. Ha how confusing! I would have never googled that, but too funny! beautiful!

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  32. Scent released when bits are rotting? Maybe be careful to recut and change water everyday?

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  33. Ha ha I laughed so hard when you wrote not to Google pee smelling flowers! too bad about the spell pretty though.

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  34. The pinky-purple stock in my clinic was beautuful and pleasant to smell BUT after a few days the smell became deeply upsetting and indescribably unpleasant.
    I asked for it to be removed completely from the building but it kept reappearing in another room as no-one felt able to eject it because of its beauty and the strange fact that only I was aware of its rancid odour! Was There something awry with my olfaction? Then I treated an oenologist ( wine expert ) who agreed fully with my nose!! Aha...Not alone, then!!!

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