Yellowrocket Barbarea vulgaris

Yellow Rocket Cress is a perennial or biennial herb native to Europe and Japan in the mustard family. In nature, it is commonly found in moist places, roadsides, stream banks and hedges. In its first year it forms a basal rosette of leaves and the next year it creates tall flowering stalks topped with goldenrod colored flowers. A healthy plant will produce flowers in abundance and they are mildly fragrant. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about a month.  

The genus name Barbarea derives from Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners, as this plant in the past was used to soothe the wounds caused by explosions. The species Latin name vulgaris means “common”.

Yellow Rocket Cress does best in sun or light shade in moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. The plant will continue to grow all winter, if the weather is mild. Yellow Rocket Cress prefers a fertile loam or clay-loam soil, but growth is less robust at dry sites with poor soil. Most vegetative growth occurs during the cool weather of early to mid-spring. It is usually classified as a short-lived perennial, although it usually self-sows freely it is not considered particularly invasive. The plant has a stout taproot which can make it difficult to transplant once mature. This plant spreads by reseeding itself, and occasionally forms colonies.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.