Damask-violet, Dame's rocket, Scented rocket, Dame's-violet, Sweet rocket
Hesperis matronalis

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is an upright annual plant. It grows 60-90 cm high and spreads 60 cm wide. The leaves are smooth, slim and oval. They are 20 cm long. The flower heads are branching. The flowers occur in clusters. The flowers are 40 mm across. They can be white to pale lilac.

There are 60 Hesperis species. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate and subtropical places. It needs full sun. It needs moist well drained soil. The soil should be neutral to alkaline. It can tolerate frost. It suits hardiness zones 3-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Armenia, Argentina, Asia, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Czech, Europe, Falklands, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Mongolia, New Zealand, North America, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Siberia, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The young leaves before flowering are gathered and eaten in salads. The seedpods are added to soups and stews. The flowers are used to add spicy flavour to salads and fruit dishes. The seeds are the source of an oil. The sprouted seeds are eaten.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, seeds - oil, leaves, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seedlings can be transplanted. Plants should be 45 cm apart.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Hesperis sibirica L.;