Dames Rocket

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Tracheophytes
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Clade: Eudicots
• Clade: Rosids
• Order: Brassicales
• Family: Brassicaceae
• Genus: Hesperis
• Species: Hesperis matronalis

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Common Names by Region

• North America: Dame’s Rocket, Dame’s Violet, Sweet Rocket
• Europe: Dame’s Gilliflower, Night-scented Gilliflower
• Other: Mother-of-the-evening

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Description

Growth Habit

• Herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial.
• Upright, loosely branched stems.

Size

• Typically 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) in height.
• Can spread through self-seeding.

Leaves

• Lance-shaped, slightly toothed.
• Alternate arrangement along the stem.
• Rough texture with noticeable veins.

Flowers

• Clusters of fragrant, four-petaled flowers.
• Colors range from lavender to purple and occasionally white.
• Blooms in late spring through early summer.
• Sweet scent is strongest in the evening.

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Known Range

Native Range

• Native to Eurasia, including regions of the Mediterranean, central, and eastern Europe.

Cultivated Range

• Widely naturalized in North America.
• Found in gardens, roadsides, meadows, and disturbed areas.
• Considered invasive in parts of the United States and Canada.

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Care Requirements

Light

• Prefers full sun to partial shade.

Watering

• Moderate water needs.
• Tolerates short periods of drought once established.

Soil

• Adaptable but thrives in well-drained, loamy soils.
• Prefers slightly alkaline to neutral soil pH.

Humidity

• Prefers moderate humidity but tolerates varying conditions.

Temperature

• Hardy in USDA Zones 3-8.
• Can withstand mild frosts and cold winters.

Propagation

• Primarily by seed; self-seeds readily in favorable conditions.
• Can be propagated by division, though less common.

Common Pests/Diseases

• Generally resistant to pests.
• Occasionally affected by flea beetles and powdery mildew.

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Additional Notes

Special Features

• Highly fragrant, especially in the evening.
• Attracts pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths.
• Frequently confused with native phlox (Phlox spp.), but distinguished by its four-petaled flowers (phlox has five).

Maintenance Level

• Low maintenance, but may require management to prevent excessive spread.
• Considered invasive in some areas; check local regulations before planting.