Invasive Species Council of Manitoba

Hesperis matronalis

Aka Dame's Violet,  Sweet Rocket

Dame's Rocket is a biennial or short-lived perennial that is native to Europe and South-west Asia, it was introduced in North America as an ornamental. Dame's Rocket and Garden Phlox look very similar except that Garden Phlox has 5 petals where as dames rocket only has 4. Tolerant of partial shade Dame's Rocket requires moist soils and does best in moist wooded areas and requires disturbed areas to become established.

There are several stems per plant that grow up to 1 m tall. Leaves are lance shaped, dark green and hairy on both sides with serrated edges. The flowers range in colour from white to pink to purple and form loose clusters at to top of the stem. The flowers are extremely fragrant especially in the evening.

Do not buy wild flower seed mixes that don't list the latin names, once established Dame's Rocket will out compete native vegetation. Hand pulling is an effective means of control as the roots are easy to remove.

Photos provided by E-Flora BC

Garden Phlox        Dame's Rocket 

 

Resources

Dame's Rocket ISCM Fact Sheet

Alberta Invasive Plant Council Fact Sheet

 

Back to Terrestrial Invasive Species List

 





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