Hesperis matronalis
dame’s rocket
braSSicaceae
Fragrant white or purple flowers; narrow
serrated leaves
2–3 ft. high; 3 ft. wide
Full sun or part shade
Blooms May–June
Zones 3–8
pruning Gardeners have a few
pruning options with dame’s rocket.
The plants can be deadheaded before
seed set, which may prolong bloom,
particularly if there is sufficient
moisture; then plants can be cut down
to the basal foliage after all flowering
is finished, again before seed set, to
cause this normally biennial plant to
act more perennial in nature. The
other option would be to allow seeding,
which the plant may do somewhat
heavily under certain conditions, to
ensure constancy in the garden.
Allowing the plant to go to seed is
often more desirable because individ-
ual plants are usually short-lived.
Cutting down the majority of old
flowering stems before seed set but
allowing a few to set seed will decrease
the number of seedlings and keep the
population more under control. If
seeding is allowed, the parent plant
usually will die.
other maintenance Prefers
moist, high-organic, alkaline soil for
best reseeding. Well-draining soil is
essential, especially over the winter to
ensure survival. Plants usually go
dormant over the summer. I like to
plant dame’s rocket alongside or
coming up through rugosa roses (Rosa
rugosa) for a great combination, and
then they will not be missed when
pruned down or if they die down. Care
should be taken to not plant close to
natural areas where it may become
invasive.Hesperis matronalis