(Hesperis matronalis ‘Dame's Rocket’)
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Dame's Rocket is a short-lived perennial/biennial flower that is native to Europe but can be found growing in meadows and naturalized areas in most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features dark green foliage and fragrant 4 petaled lavender 1/2” flower heads. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, used to flavor perfumes, has medicinal properties, is resistant to deer, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Hesperis
Species: matronalis
Variety: Dame's Rocket
Also Known As: Garden Rocket, Dame's Violet, Mother-Of-The-Evening, Sweet Rocket
Native to: Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, Italy, Krym, North Caucasus, South European Russi, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Ukraine.
Introduced into: Alabama, Albania, Alberta, Altay, Argentina South, Arkansas, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, British Columbia, California, Central European Rus, Chile South, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Denmark, District of Columbia, East European Russia, Falkland Is., Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ireland, Kansas, Kazakhstan, Kentucky, Kirgizstan, Kuril Is., Lebanon-Syria, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, North European Russi, Northwest European R, Norway, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Poland, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Siberia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Xinjiang, Yugoslavia.
Grown as: Biennial
Maturity (Blooms): May-August
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water: Medium. Well drained.
Soil Moisture: Medium. Rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil.
Maintenance: Low
Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Attracts Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds as well as being Deer resistant.
Containers?: Yes.
Height: 12-24”
Spacing: 40”
Sow Depth: Press into soil surface.
USDA Zone: 3-9
Produces: dark green foliage and fragrant 4 petaled lavender 1/2” flower heads.
Garden Uses: Excellent plant for meadows, naturalized areas or cottage gardens. May also be grown in borders, but foliage tends to disappear after flowering, thus necessitating the use of annuals or late-developing perennials to fill in the gaps.
Note: We cannot sell this seed to customers in CT, NH, or WI.
Genus: Hesperis
Species: matronalis
Variety: Dame's Rocket
Also Known As: Garden Rocket, Dame's Violet, Mother-Of-The-Evening, Sweet Rocket
Native to: Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, Italy, Krym, North Caucasus, South European Russi, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Ukraine.
Introduced into: Alabama, Albania, Alberta, Altay, Argentina South, Arkansas, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, British Columbia, California, Central European Rus, Chile South, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Denmark, District of Columbia, East European Russia, Falkland Is., Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ireland, Kansas, Kazakhstan, Kentucky, Kirgizstan, Kuril Is., Lebanon-Syria, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, North European Russi, Northwest European R, Norway, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Poland, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Siberia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Xinjiang, Yugoslavia.
Grown as: Biennial
Maturity (Blooms): May-August
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water: Medium. Well drained.
Soil Moisture: Medium. Rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil.
Maintenance: Low
Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Attracts Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds as well as being Deer resistant.
Containers?: Yes.
Height: 12-24”
Spacing: 40”
Sow Depth: Press into soil surface.
USDA Zone: 3-9
Produces: dark green foliage and fragrant 4 petaled lavender 1/2” flower heads.
Garden Uses: Excellent plant for meadows, naturalized areas or cottage gardens. May also be grown in borders, but foliage tends to disappear after flowering, thus necessitating the use of annuals or late-developing perennials to fill in the gaps.
Note: We cannot sell this seed to customers in CT, NH, or WI.
Direct sow in early spring, pressing the seed into the surface of the soil; keep it moist until germination. To start indoors, sow the seed on the surface of the soil in a flat; keep the soil moist and at a temperature of 70-75 degrees F until germination, which usually occurs within 21-30 days. Transplant the seedlings after the last chance of frost.
Though this plant tolerates some drought, it will flourish with regular moisture. In its first year of growth, it will produce mostly leaves; full bloom usually occurs in its second year. It does not appreciate excess heat and humidity. This plant will adapt to almost any soil with adequate moisture. This plant self-seeds heavily, and can become very aggressive. To help prevent this, remove the spent flower heads before the seed pods develop; this will also encourage a second blooming. These flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while resisting deer.
For fresh flowers, cut long stems of flowers that have just opened and place them in water immediately; strip the leaves that will fall below the water.
As the flower cluster comes to the end of its blooming, the plant will produce very long, thin green pods that eventually split in half to release mature brown seeds. Remove the pods when as soon as the seed has ripened but before they split, and spread them out to dry away from direct sunlight. Crush or shake them lightly to release the seeds. Store the cleaned seed in a cool, dry place.
Young leaves: raw. Rich in vitamin C, they are used as a cress substitute in salads. A rather bitter flavor, though many people like the extra tang it gives to salads. For culinary purposes, the leaves should be picked before the plant flowers.
Seeds: The seed can be sprouted and added to salads. The seed contains 50% of an edible oil - there is a potential for cultivation.
Seeds: The seed can be sprouted and added to salads. The seed contains 50% of an edible oil - there is a potential for cultivation.
Companion Planting
Companions: Bee Balm, Speedwell, Hydrangea, Columbine, and Common foxglove.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
An essential oil from the seed is used in perfumery. The plant is cultivated for this purpose.