The Gardener's Almanac

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Hesperis

Common name; Damask Violet or Sweet Rocket

Aspect

Hesperis; The name of this plant comes for the Greek word for ‘evening’ alluding to its evening fragrance.

 

It is a hardy herbaceous biennials or short lived perennial of the brassicaceae family, that dependant upon variety can grow to 1.5 metres (5ft) high with a similar spread.

 

The white, mauve or purple flowers that open in June give off a fragrance in the evening.

 

Remove the flowering spikes after flowering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If grown as a perennial it is advisable to replace them every two or three years as the have a tendency to grow a bit ‘woody’

 

 

Cultivation;

 

Week 16; Sow seeds thinly in a sunny position in open ground.

 

 

Week 22; Prick off the seedlings into a nursery bed.

 

 

Week 40; Plant out seedlings 500mm (18”) apart, between now and March in a sunny position.

 

They will tolerate most types of soil providing it is moist.

 

Established plants can be divided now and replanted where necessary.

 

 

Related Links

Deadheading

Division

Planting out

Seed sowing

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