This article is part of a monthly educational program from the Bellevue Tree Board:
Dame’s Rocket: Beautiful, But Not Native
Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is in full bloom right now. This short-lived perennial, or sometimes biennial, is often mistaken for a native wildflower. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and can outcompete native plants in natural areas.
Unfortunately, it’s frequently included—often unintentionally—in wildflower seed mixes sold by garden centers and seed companies, contributing to its continued spread.
There’s no denying its beauty. Growing 2 to 3 feet tall, with branching flower spikes in shades of purple, pink, or white, it adds striking color during the transition from spring to summer. It’s also fragrant and makes an excellent cut flower.
As a member of the mustard family, it’s typically unpalatable to deer, which can make it more appealing to home gardeners. However, it readily self-seeds and can quickly establish beyond where it was originally planted.
While not federally listed as invasive, several Great Lakes states classify it as a plant to avoid. If you have dame’s rocket in your garden, consider removing it and replacing it with native alternatives such as woodland phlox, penstemon, or other appropriate regional species.