Advanced Search Filters

Plant Type
Hardiness Zone
Heat Zone
Sunset Zone
Function
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Water Requirement

Hesperis matronalis

Image of Hesperis matronalis

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Brassicaceae

Botanical Name

Hesperis matronalis

Plant Common Name

Dame's Rocket

General Description

Dame’s rocket is a biennial or short-lived perennial that is native from Europe to Asia. It develops a rosette of toothy, hairy leaves that produces tall, leafy stems topped with four-petaled, phlox-like clusters of tubular white to pale lilac flowers from late spring to summer. The flowers are very attractive to insects and fragrant at night.

This easy to grow ornamental flowers best in full sun. Use Dame’s rocket in a mixed border or a wild garden. Double flowered cultivars, such as ‘Alba Plena’, are good for cutting and tend to self-sow infrequently, unlike common dame's rocket.

This rampant plant has become naturalized across North America and is considered invasive in many areas. The popular are more reliably beautiful perennial, Phlox paniculata is a better choice for North American temperate landscapes.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    4 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Biennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m

  • Width

    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer

  • Native To

    Southern Europe, Western Europe, Russia/Siberia, Central Asia, Western Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Pink, Lavender

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Cutflower, Mixed Border, Wildflower

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes