 Best Sellers Dames Rocket Hesperis matronalis Detailed Listing For Botanical Name: Hesperis matronalis Common Name: Dames Rocket Average Viable Seeds/Packet: 145 Germination Test Type:  Actual Collection Locale: Oregon
Minimum Hardiness Zone: 3 In Stock: 3.69 lb Prices Items are priced on a curve, you can buy any 'bulk quantity' up to what we have in stock, some examples are: 1 packet (~ 145 seeds) $2.95 10 gram (~ 5778 seeds) $8.50 1 oz (~ 16381 seeds) $10.95 4 oz (~ 65524 seeds) $15.66 1 lb (~ 262094 seeds) $34.50 1 kg (~ 577818 seeds) $73.00 | | | Growing Info, follow in order: Scarification: none required. Stratification: none required. Germination: sow seed 1/16" deep, tamp the soil, keep moist. | In a Nutshell: * Hesperis matronalis grows 100 cm or taller, with multiple upright hairy stems. Typically the first year of growth produces a mound of foliage and flowering occurs the second year, plants are normally biennials but a number of races can be short lived perennials . The plants have showy blooms in early to mid spring. * A biennial with pretty four-petaled fragrant flowers in loose clusters, white to purplish and everything in between, the main flowering is in May in New York state, native to Europe, but naturalized and nearly ubiquitous in the open woodlands of the eastern U.S. * The plentiful fragrant flowers are produced in large showy terminal racemes , that can be 30+ cm tall, that elongate as the flowers of the inflorescence bloom. more... * The seed can be sprouted and added to salads. more... |
[ edit ] Description Hesperis matronalis grows 100 cm or taller, with multiple upright hairy stems. Typically the first year of growth produces a mound of foliage and flowering occurs the second year, plants are normally biennials but a number of races can be short lived perennials . The plants have showy blooms in early to mid spring. The leaves are alternately arranged on upright stems and lanceolate shaped , they typically have very short or lack petioles and have toothed margins but sometimes are entire, they are widest at the base. The foliage has short hairs on the top and bottom surfaces that give the leaves a somewhat rough feel. The larger leaves are around 12 cm long and over 4 cm wide. In early spring, a thick mound of low growing foliage is produced, during flowering the lower parts of the stems are generally unbranched and denuded of foliage and the top of the blooming plant might have a few branches that end in inflorescences .The plentiful fragrant flowers are produced in large showy terminal racemes , that can be 30+ cm tall, that elongate as the flowers of the inflorescence bloom. When stems have both flowers and fruits, the weight sometimes causes the stems to bend. Each flower is large (2 cm across), with four petals . Flower coloration varies, with different shades of lavender and purple most common, but white, pink, and even some flowers with mixed colors exist in cultivated forms. A few different double-flowered varieties also exist. [ 2 ] The four Petals are clawed and hairless. The flowers have six stamens in two groups, the 4 closest to the ovary are longer than the two oppositely positioned. Stigmas are two-lobed. The four sepals are erect and form a mock tube around the claws of the petals and are also colored similarly to the petals. [ 3 ] Some plants may bloom until August, but warm weather greatly shortens the duration on each flowers blooming. Seeds are produced in thin fruits that are 5–14 cm long pods, containing two rows of seeds separated by a dimple. The fruits are terete and open by way of glabrous valves , constricted between the seeds like a pea-pod. Seeds are oblong shaped and 3–4 mm long and 1–1.5 mm wide. [ 4 ] In North America, Hesperis matronalis is often confused with native Phlox species that also have similar large showy flower clusters. They can be distinguished from each other by foliage and flower differences; Dame's rocket has alternately arranged leaves and four petals per flower, while phlox have opposite leaves and five petals. Stand of Dame's Rocket in a forested setting Physical Characteristics  Hesperis matronalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.6 m (2ft). It is hardy to zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from Jun to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, lepidoptera.It is noted for attracting wildlife. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.The plant prefers neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. |
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