Dames Rocket
Hesperis matronalis
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Krym, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
peakaytea
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Hesperis
- Species:
- Hesperis matronalis
- USDA Symbol:
- HEMA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, pink, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Plutella porrectella
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble (Bombus pensylvanicus), Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees, moths
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers fertile soils in its native range
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in cool conditions. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.