Hesperis matronalis var. albiflora

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Synonyms

Hesperis matronalis alba

Plants for pollinators
Annual Biennial Herbaceous Perennial
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A rosette-forming biennial or short-lived perennial, with leafy stems to 90cm. Produces loose clusters of fragrant white flowers from late spring to midsummer.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Hesperis are biennials and perennials with loose clusters of four-petalled, fragrant, purple, cream or white flowers
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in neutral to alkaline soil in sun or partial shade. Replace plants every two to three years, as flowering diminishes with age

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in situ in spring. Root basal cuttings in spring.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to cabbage caterpillars, flea beetles, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to virus diseases and powdery mildew