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Hesperis Matronalis, Sweet Rocket

Jack 3Jack 3 Posts: 360

Hello all.

I got some sweet rocket seeds, it says to surface sow once the worst of the frost has past. Do you think I should leave it a few weeks yet?

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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,614

    You could broadcast the seed where you want it, but I sow indoors into plug trays, and then pot on into 7cm pots, then plant in final position in September to flower next year.

    Sweet rocket (Hesperis matronalis ) are hardy short lived perennials.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,123
    fidgetbones wrote (see)

    You could broadcast the seed where you want it, but I sow indoors into plug trays, and then pot on into 7cm pots, then plant in final position in September to flower next year.

    Sweet rocket (Hesperis matronalis ) are hardy short lived perennials.

    Fidget, that's like saying a Rolls Royce is a car ............. Sweet Rocket is a hardy short-lived perennial with probably the most intoxicating evening perfume it's possible to grow outside in the UK image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,614

    .....and you should see how many  I will have in flower this May.image

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    I hope I shall have more than last year, poor show. Usually very good



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Watch out for cabbage white caterpillars, mine got shredded last year, although i did squish them and have some nice healthy plants for spring this year, will make a nice flowery show.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Jack 3Jack 3 Posts: 360

    Yes, I've looked up evening scented plants and want to plant out as many as possible. I may sow some inside as well. If planted out though should I wait a bit? Will they not flower until next year? Thank you all.

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,614

    I doubt they will flower this year. I would concentrate on getting good plants for next years flowers.

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    Try Nicotians affinis for evening scent Jack. Sow now and you'll have flowers this year



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    My staple evening scented annuals are night scented stock (matthiola longipetala bicornis) and night phlox (zaluzianskya capensis.)  I prefer the white version of sweet rocket (hesperis matronalis alba), but it probably won't flower this year as others have said.  Once you have it established though, it will readily self-seed and sometimes mature plants will last for several years - some of mine are evergreen in mild winters.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,123

    Mine's been flowering on and off through this last winter! image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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