PLANT JOURNAL
COMMON NAME Dame’s Rocket
BOTANICAL NAME Hesperis matronalis
ZONE 3 – 8
SIZE 1-3’ HT, 1-2’ SP
FOLIAGE Not much to speak of. Plant more attractive foliaged plants in front.
FLOWER April / May. Upright panicles emerge violet and fade to white. Showy, fragrant and good cut.
FRUIT Develop long, narrow seed pods that explode when ripe. Readily self-sows to create new plants. Allow fruit to develop and stalks to flop in order to encourage development of a nice colony.
GROWING CONDITIONS Full Sun to Part Shade. Deer Resistant. Requires minimal watering. Shallow rooted, therefore easy to move. Excellent plant for meadows, naturalized areas or cottage garden.
Native to Eurasia, but has naturalized in many areas of eastern North America. Considered an exotic invasive in the Midwest. In Maryland, we frequently observe colonies along the woods’ edge on country roads.
Not readily available from nurseries. Obtain plants from a friend.
