Hesperis matronalis

Sweet Rocket

£4.50

Description

A rosette-forming biennial, or short-lived perennial, with leafy stems growing to around 90cm. Loose clusters of purple, scented flowers appear in late spring and early summer.  Very similar to Honesty, leave them to seed themselves and they will gradually naturalising over a large area.

The flowers’ fragrance is as sweet as a violet’s, and most pronounced in the evening. It looks good when allowed to drift, naturally through an informal sunny or partially shaded border, especially in a cottage garden or wildlife garden scheme.

Likes any moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

Height 50cm-1m x Spread 10cm-50cm.