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Sweet Rocket 'Violet'
Seed Packet

Sweet Rocket 'Violet'

Hesperis matronalis
Prized by generations past, this biennial has escaped the garden to grow happily in damp thickets. The epitome of an old-fashioned flower, the evening-scented blooms are redolent of clove and violet, hence its other name, 'Dame's Violet.' Marie Antoinette was enamored of the double white, and while in priso"the concierge daily brought her bunches of pinks, sweet rockets and tuberoses, an act of gentleness for which she was imprisoned but eventually released." Listed in an 1838 catalog. Self-sows to reappear every year and can escape to establish into roadside wet ditches. Cannot ship to IN, ME, OH, WI.
SKU #S162
$3.25
Details
Approximate Seeds Per Packet
125
Lifecycle
Biennial
Perennial Hardiness Zone
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8
Mature Size
3-4' h x 1-2' w
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Soil
Regular to rich, moist, well-drained
Season
Spring to summer
Color
Bright lavender purple
Features
Great Cut Flower
Deer Resistant
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Bees
SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Depth:
Surface sow
Sprout Time:
7-30 days
Starting Indoors:
Start seeds in containers 8 weeks before planting out. Keep at 60-70°F, and cover with a light sprinkling of vermiculite or a humidity dome to retain moisture until germination occurs.
Starting Outdoors:
Sow direct after danger of frost has passed until midsummer.
WHEN TO SET OUTSIDE
After all danger of frost has passed.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
Often mistaken for phlox, sweet rocket graces evening gardens with their full blooms releasing a delightful fragrance reminiscent of violets and cloves. This captivating scent is also an irresistible lure for night pollinators, mainly moths. Once seeds have matured, I pull them up, stripping the ripe seeds to scatter about into the bed and start new plants for the following year's blooms. However, it is worth noting that sweet rocket is considered invasive in certain regions. To prevent its spread into wild areas, position this plant in a garden bed bordered by a lawn that is sequestered from native habitats. Sorry, cannot ship to CT.
Final Spacing:
1-2'
Water Requirements:
Medium Water Use
Watering Details:
Keep moist but not saturated; about 1" per week.
Soil pH:
Acidic to neutral
Fertilizer:
Mix in a balanced organic, granular fertilizer each spring. Alternatively, a couple of inches of compost can be incorporated into the soil.
Diseases & Pests:
No major pests or diseases. This plant self-sows prolifically and can become invasive in some locations,including in the Midwest.
When to Cut for Bouquets:
Cut when 3/4 of florets are open.