About

A compact, bushy, evergreen, short-lived perennial to around 30cm tall with linear to lance-shaped silvery dark green leaves. Dense racemes of aromatic flowers in shades of red, reddish-purple and pinky-orange are borne from mid 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, East-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 usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral or, ideally, alkaline soil; full sun is essentia
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown from late spring to early summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and flea beetles
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases such as downy mildews, club root, leaf spot, root rot and mosaic virus