Yellow Rocket, Garden yellowrocket
Barbarea vulgaris

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Barbarea vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, bees, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.4

Where it is found

Moist places, roadsides, stream banks and hedges.

Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Asia.

Conservation Status: Least Concern.

Countries/locations it is found in

Native: Albania; Andorra; Austria; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; China (Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Jilin, Xinjiang); Croatia; Czech Republic; Estonia; France (Corsica, France (mainland)); Germany; Greece (Greece (mainland)); Hungary; India (Jammu-Kashmir); Ireland; Italy (Italy (mainland), Sardegna, Sicilia); Japan; Kazakhstan; Korea, Republic of; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of; Malta; Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Netherlands; Pakistan; Poland; Portugal (Portugal (mainland)); Romania; Serbia (Kosovo, Serbia, Serbia); Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain (Spain (mainland)); Sri Lanka; Sweden; Switzerland; Tajikistan; Turkey (Turkey-in-Europe); Ukraine (Krym, Ukraine (main part)); United Kingdom (Great Britain, Northern Ireland) Introduced: Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Labrador, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland I, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward I., Québec, Saskatchewan); Saint Pierre and Miquelon; United States (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming).

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Young leaves - raw or cooked like spinach. A hot cress-like flavour. Young leaves are chopped up finely and added to salads, older leaves can be used as a potherb but they are rather strong and are best cooked in one or two changes of water. The leaves are available all year round, even in the winter, especially if the weather is mild. To increase the productivity of the plants, remove the flowering stems as they appear (they can be eaten like the leaves) and pick the outer leaves as the plant regrows. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young flowering stems - harvested before the flowers open and cooked like broccoli.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The leaves are vulnerary and have been used as a poultice for treating wounds. A tea made from the leaves is appetizer, antiscorbutic and diuretic.

Antiscorbutic: A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.

Appetizer: Improves the appetite

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.

Other

Rating: 0

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

How it is grown

Succeeds in sun or shade in a moist well-drained soil. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 7.5. The plant can continue to grow all winter, especially if the weather is mild. A short-lived perennial, though plants usually self-sow freely when in a suitable position. There is at least one named form, developed for its ornamental value. 'Variegata' has variegated leaves and grows less strongly than the type. A good bee plant.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks. Division in spring. his plant is a short-lived perennial, and also usually self-sows freely, so we have not found division to be worthwhile.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedgerow; North Wall. By.

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

There is a report that ingestion of the leaves can lead to kidney malfunction.

This plant can be weedy or invasive. Some evidence in the US including Kentucky, the North West, Nebraska.

Its other names

Local names

English – Herb Barbaras, Yellow Rocket, Upland Cress, Winter Cress, Rocket Cress French – Herbe aux Charpentiers, Herbe de Sainte-Barbe. Spanish – Hierba de Santa Bárbara

Synonyms

Campe barbarea. Erysimum barbarea.