Erysimum – the RHS People’s Choice winners
Erysimum linifolium ERYSISTIBLE MAGENTA was voted People’s Choice top wallflower by visitors to the 2025 trial at RHS Hyde Hall
In collaboration with Floral Fantasia and local nursery W.D. Smith & Son, a selection of exciting new entries are being showcased as part of the 2025–2026 Erysimum (perennial wallflower) trial, taking place in the vibrant Floral Fantasia area at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex.
The trial features 30 Erysimum entries, with participation from the following suppliers: Syngenta, Ball Horticulture, Kientzler, Kerley & Co, and Volmary. A diverse palette of colours are highlighted in the trial such as multiple shades of yellow, red, orange, cream, and purple, along with striking bi-colors and tri-colors.
Perennial wallflowers are short-lived perennials with a long flowering season. In the south of England particularly, some cultivars can flower from late winter all the way through to autumn.
RHS People’s Choice Winners
The RHS People’s Choice ran between March and May 2025 with more than 400 visitors’ votes counted in total.
First place
Erysimum linifolium ERYSISTIBLE MAGENTA (‘Erfz0004’) (Erysistible Series)Compact flower spikes in striking shades of purple, orange, and magenta. Gently scented with a bushy growth habit, this variety blooms throughout spring and summer and makes an excellent cut flower.
Voters’ comments included: Love the clash of colours.
Second place
Erysimum linifolium ERYSISTIBLE SUNSET IMPROVED (‘Erfz0008’) (Erysistible Series)A vibrant display of orange flowers that gently fade into coral and pink, held on compact spikes above a bushy, well-formed plant. Blooms generously throughout spring and summer.
Voters’ comments included: Beautiful pastel colour combination.
Third place
Erysimum linifolium SUPER BOWL MAUVE (‘Erfz0001’)An upright, bushy, and compact evergreen with sweetly fragrant mauve to lilac flowers. Attractive to pollinators, it blooms from early spring to late summer.
Voters’ comments included: Great depth of colour on healthy looking plants.
What visitors loved
Most voters seemed guided more by sight than scent, with poll responses focusing largely on flower colour. The cheerful and vibrant blooms clearly made an impression, drawing the majority of comments. While the wallflowers’ fragrance was notably captivating – especially in the sunshine – it received only a handful of mentions, suggesting that visual appeal took centre stage in this trial.
Multi-coloured blooms emerged as the most appreciated feature among voters, with strong contrasts such as purples paired with oranges or oranges with pinks proving especially popular, even when the combinations might traditionally be considered clashing. In addition to bold colour pairings, voters also valued plants with good vigour and compact growth, as well as those that attracted bees.
What’s next...
The Erysimum trial has been extended into spring 2026 – keep an eye on its progress. Meanwhile, the Begonia Fleuroselect trial is currently taking centre stage in Floral Fantasia – bee sure to stop by. Running from July to late September 2025, this trial invites visitors to vote for their favourite plant.
