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Hesperis matronalis Alba

Hesperis matronalis Alba
Dame's Rocket, Damask Violet, Night-scented Gilliflower, Queen's Gilliflower, Rogue's Gilliflower, Summer Lilac, Sweet Rocket, Mother-of-the-evening

4,3/5
35 reviews
3 reviews
1 reviews
3 reviews
5 reviews

Very good recovery despite a package in which the young plants had suffered a bit from being too tightly packed and transported without respecting the instructions for the horizontal position of the package. The three shoots have grown well and flowered! Very beautiful flowers, delicate with a sweet fragrance. I should have planted them closer together for a mass effect.

Severine, 21/06/2021

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

A delightful form of Dame's Rocket or Dame's Violet, with single, pure white flowers that are just as fragrant as the much more common form with purple flowers. Cultivated as an annual or biennial, this border plant is an essential addition to any scented garden. It thrives in partial shade, in ordinary soil where it will readily self-seed.
Flower size
4 cm
Height at maturity
70 cm
Spread at maturity
40 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Flowering time May to July
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Description

Hesperis matronalis Alba is a delightful form of Dame's Rocket.with single pure white flowers. The main asset of this short-lived perennial is its fragrance, which is reminiscent of jasmine. The name Hesperis comes from the Greek hespera which means "evening", alluding to the fragrance of the flowers that intensifies at the end of the day. Its clusters of immaculate flowers bloom from spring to mid-summer, animated by the constant flight of pollinating insects. Plant it in wildflower beds, where it will require very little maintenance and easily self-seed.

Dame's Rocket is a plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family, along with rapeseed and mustard. It is native to central and southern Europe, as well as northern and western Asia. While theoretically a perennial, it is most often cultivated as a biennial. This herbaceous plant has an upright, sparsely branched habit, except in its upper part, reaching a height of 60 to 80 cm (24 to 32 in) when in flower, with a diameter of 30 cm (12 in), and grows very rapidly. Its deciduous foliage disappears in winter. It consists of large leaves (10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in) long), which are dark green, alternate and lanceolate with dentate margins and without petioles. Flowering occurs from mid-spring to summer, from May to July. The white flowers of this 'Alba' selection, delicately fragrant in the evening, are nectar-rich and attractive to bees and butterflies, such as sphinx moths, which ensure pollination. They are grouped in terminal clusters of small single flowers with 4 sepals, 4 petals, and 6 stamens. The fruits are small siliques containing numerous seeds that will easily germinate in light soil if left in place.

Dame's Rocket self-seeds abundantly, and it is not uncommon to find plants growing at a good distance from the original plant. For this reason, it is well suited to "wild" gardens. It works wonders near pathways and openings where you can enjoy its delightful wallflower-like fragrance on summer evenings. It is often overlooked, but it can easily be grown in pots in groups of 3 or 4 plants. For example, associate them with daffodils and tulips, or in an Impressionist painting-like garden, such as Monet's garden, with garden irises, snapdragons, bellflowers, or goldenrods. The 'Alba' variety pairs beautifully with pale blue or purple delphiniums, as well as bright yellow rudbeckias. It can be combined with pure white phlox paniculata, white bee balm, summer daisies, or dahlias to create a beautiful white garden.

Properties and uses: the fragrance and pastel colour of the flowers make it suitable for potpourris. The young leaves and flowers are edible, but they may be a bit too bitter for some palates.

 

Hesperis matronalis Alba in pictures

Hesperis matronalis Alba (Flowering) Flowering
Hesperis matronalis Alba (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time May to July
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 4 cm
Fragrance Fragrant, lilac, fruity
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 70 cm
Spread at maturity 40 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Hesperis

Species

matronalis

Cultivar

Alba

Family

Brassicaceae

Other common names

Dame's Rocket, Damask Violet, Night-scented Gilliflower, Queen's Gilliflower, Rogue's Gilliflower, Summer Lilac, Sweet Rocket, Mother-of-the-evening

Origin

Eastern Europe

Product reference 77002

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Planting and care

Hesperis thrives and flowers for a long time in a semi-shaded environment. Full sun is also suitable, but it should not be too scorching and the soil should not dry out too deeply. Place the plant in fertile, deep, cool, and well-drained soil. However, Hesperis grows well in any good garden soil. Plant 6 to 8 feet in 1 square metre (3 square feet). Bury the collar of the plant 2 cm (1 in) below the surface of the soil. The plant needs to be kept cool throughout the year. There is not really any maintenance required. It is simply a matter of removing faded flowers to encourage flowering. Water in case of drought during the summer to obtain an abundance of flowers. The stems are resistant to wind and do not require staking. Beware of viruses and mildew, as well as snails, slugs, caterpillars, and flea beetles that can harm the plant.

7
€19.50
18
€14.50 Each

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 4 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, ordinary but deep and loosened

Care

Pruning instructions Leave the floral stems to dry and prune them in the middle of summer. If you sow the seeds in situ, they will germinate the following spring.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time July to August
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,3/5

Summer flowering perennials

23
From €3.90 8/9 cm pot
63
From €5.90 8/9 cm pot
4
From €8.90 2L/3L pot

Available in 2 sizes

Available to order
€0.00
20
From €5.90 8/9 cm pot
10
From €9.50 1.5L/2L pot
34
From €5.90 8/9 cm pot
56
From €5.90 8/9 cm pot
33
From €7.90 8/9 cm pot
37
From €8.90 8/9 cm pot

Available in 2 sizes

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