About

An evergreen, short-lived perennial usually grown as a biennial, with a bushy, upright habit and narrow, silvery dark green leaves. Clusters of scented flowers, in pastel shades of lemon yellow and lavender, are produced at the tips of the stems from spring into summer.

About the genus

Erysimum can be annuals, biennials or woody-based perennials with narrow leaves and dense racemes of often fragrant, 4-petalled flowers

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Annual Biennial
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a sunny position in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. Usually grown as a biennial, plant out at the end of summer for flowers the following year
PruningTrim after flowering to prevent plants becoming leggy
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in spring or summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails, cabbage root fly and flea beetles
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews, club root, leaf spot, root rot and virus diseases