How to Grow Dame's Rocket
About Growing Dame's Rocket Flowers in Your Home Garden
Growing Dame’s Rocket plants is certainly quite easy. While popular in the flower garden for its profuse blooms, it is also grown as a wildflower. Others still, consider it an invasive weed. And even the USDA refers to it as “weedy and invasive”. Native to Eurasia and Japan, it is a member of the mustard family, that was introduced into the US in the 1600s. Its prolific seed production is the cause for its quick spread wherever it is grown. Wildflower mixtures frequently include perennial Dame’s Rocket seeds.
The flowers are fragrant, in colors of white, pink, and purple. The four-petaled flowers of this biennial, bloom profusely in large, loose clusters during the second year. The wait is worth it.
Their native habitat is woodlands and along the edges of woodlands, which offers them the light shade that they prefer. You can also find them along roadsides and even in open spaces.
The plants are very invasive. And, they push out local plants. Growing Dame’s Rocket is against the law in Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin.
Did You Know? Dame’s Rocket flowers are often confused with Phlox. An easy way to distinguish between the two, is to count the petals. Dame’s Rocket has 4 petals. Phlox flowers have 5 petals.
Dame's Rocket Plant Specifications
Flower Colors: Shades of purple, violet, and white.
Flowers Bloom: Spring through summer.
Plant Height: 1 to 4 feet tall.
Light Requirements: Grow plants in full sun to partial shade.
Ideal Soil pH: 5.0 – 8.0.
Hardiness Zones: 3 – 8. The plants grow best in cooler climates.
Toxicity: Non-toxic.
Deer Resistant?: Yes
Invasive?: Very invasive plants. Use garden edging to control their spread
Native To: Europe and Asia.
Other Names: This flower is also called Dame’s Violet, Gilliflower, Sweet Rocket, Damask Violet
Plant Type: Perennials and Biennials
Botanical Name: Hesperis Matronalis
Are Dame's Rocket Plants Edible?
YES!! It is a member of the Brassicaceae family, which includes arugula, broccoli, and mustard. The bitter-tasting leaves are high in vitamin C and other minerals.
You’ll never starve when growing Dame’s Rocket plants. The young leaves, tender portions of stems, and pods are edible. They are used as pot herbs.
The flowers are used in fruit dishes and salads.
See more Edible Flowers
Medicinal Applications for Dame's Rocket Plants
Dame’s Rocket has several medicinal uses. Among them are:
- Alleviate pain and swelling. It has anti-inflammatory properties.
- It promotes urination and eases urinary tract infections.
- Use it to loosen up phlegm and ease coughs.
- Treat or prevent scurvy.
- It is a substitute for Ipecac syrup to induce vomiting.
- Dame’s Rocket has even been used to eliminate freckles. Does it work? You be the judge.
Light Requirements
Dame’s Rocket Plants grow best in full sunlight. Give them 8 or more hours a day of bright sun. In warmer areas of the country, provide afternoon shade from the hot rays of the sun.
The plants will also grow in partial shade. However, with too little sunlight, the stems grow lanky and are subject to fall over in the wind. And, the plant produces fewer and smaler flowers.
Perennial Dame's Rocket Plant Propagation
The plants are grown from seed. Sow Dame’s Rocket seeds directly into your flower garden. For outdoor starts, plant Dame’s Rocket seeds after the soil begins to warm in the spring. Or, start the plants indoors for transplanting later.
Sow seeds early in the season and cover lightly with soil.
Final Plant Spacing: Space seeds or seedlings 12-18″ apart. It won’t take long for the young seedlings to spread out, filling the space you provide for it to grow.
How to Grow Dame's Rocket Flower Plants
Dame’s Rocket plants are very easy to grow. The plants grow best in full sun to partial shade.
They will grow in almost any soil, as long as it its kept moist. The plants do not like hot, humid weather, and will grow best in more northerly climates.
Keep soil moist at all times.
Fertilize the plants every four to six weeks, for best performance.
Garden Tip: Use garden edging to help keep these somewhat invasive plants within the area you designate for it.
These hardy, cool-weather plants do not need winter protection.
Pruning Dame's Rocket Plants
The plants require little pruning. For a neat and tidy appearance, remove any dead or sickly leaves and stems.
Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional blooms.
Insects and Plant Disease
Dame’s Rocket plants have few insect or disease problems. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.
Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.
Overwintering Perennial Dame's Rocket Plants
These cool-weather plants overwinter quite well.
After the first killing frost in the Fall, Dame’s Rocket plants will die off for winter. Cut the plant back to the ground. A layer of mulch is usually not required. If you do cover the roots with mulch, rake it off in early spring.
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