Species dame's rocket
Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis) displaying clusters of fragrant purple or white flowers on tall, slender green stems in a field

dame's rocket

Hesperis matronalis

Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is a flowering plant that is a member of the mustard family. It blooms in shades of pale purple, pink, and white, giving off an inviting scent of honey. The plants grow up to two feet tall and have delicate lance-shaped foliage and four-petaled flowers. Dame's rocket prefers partial to full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It is hardy and deer resistant, making it a great addition to any garden that offers the right conditions. The spectacular display makes it a great choice for season-long color and will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your landscape.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Root Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

White, violet Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water dame's rocket weekly to keep its soil evenly moist, preferably in the morning. Early in the season, the plant may require daily watering to get it established. Once established, it can survive with weekly irrigation. Avoid over-watering as it can cause the roots to rot and the plant to die.

sunlight

Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis) requires at least 6 hours of direct or indirect sunlight daily, preferably in the morning or early afternoon. This species grows best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. During the summer months, it should receive full sun, as this will promote better flowering. When growing in the winter, direct sunlight might be decreased to 2-4 hours a day as the species may be more dormant during this period. It is important to remember that too much direct sunlight during extremely hot days may burn the leaves of the plant.

pruning

Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) should be pruned yearly in late winter. During this time, prune away any dead or damaged growth and remove any flower stalks after they have bloomed. If necessary, prune away any of the older branches down to the newer growth to encourage new stems and growth. If the shrub is overgrown, prune it back to half its size to promote bushier growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Hesperis matronalis typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Hesperis matronalis typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map