Sweet Rocket Hesperis matronalis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- HES-per-iss mah-tro-NAH-lis
- Description
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Dames' Rocket is often mistaken for a native wildflower and is included in many 'native' wildflower mixes. It originated in Europe but was brought over by early settlers. It has become highly weedy and is often found in open woodlands, prairies, roadsides, ditches, and other disturbed areas where it crowds out native plants.
It will grow well in average, well-drained soil in full or partial sun. However, once planted it may be difficult to get rid of due to heavy over-seeding. It is a biennial or short-lived perennial with foliage only for the first year before blooming in the second year.
Hesperis comes from the Greek word 'hespera', meaning evening, due to its evening fragrance, Matronalis comes from the Latin 'matrona', as this plant will begin blooming in early spring, around March 1st, the time of the Roman Festival of the Matrons.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hesperis
- Species:
- matronalis
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Leaves are antiscorbutic, diaphoretic and diuretic, and are best picked when the flowers are blooming. Oil from the seeds is used in making perfume.
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe to Central Asia
- Distribution:
- It is found throughout Canada and much of the United States, excepting Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.
- Edibility:
- Young leaves are high in vitamin C and can be eaten in salads and have a slightly bitter taste. Seeds can be sprouted and also eaten in salads.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Siliques (long slender fruits) are 2-4 inches long and contain a large number of seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- fragrant (clove-like scent, especially in the evenings), white to purple or pink with 4 petals in a cross; bloom in late spring
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Denticulate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate leaves are lanceolate, pubescent, and dentate with widely spaced teeth along the margins, up to 6" long and 2" across.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
