About

A compact, bushy, evergreen perennial to about 45cm with narrow, dark green leaves. perfumed flowers, opening very light purple from dark buds and maturing to mid-purple, are produced over a long period from spring to autumn.

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
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in well-drained soil, ideally alkaline, in full sun
PruningCut back by half after flowering to prevent plants getting leggy
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings, using shoots without flower buds
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and flea beetles
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildew, club root, leaf spot, root rot and mosaic virus