About

An evergreen short-lived perennial to around 30cm high, with a bushy, upright habit and narrow, dark green leaves. perfumed flowers open rich orange and turn purple with age, over a long season from spring to late 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
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3

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 year
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in full sun, and plants may overwinter for 2-3 years. In colder areas, grow as an annual or biennial, planting out after the last frost
PruningTrim after flowering to prevent plants becoming leggy
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in spring or summer. As this plant is protected by Plant Breeders' Rights, any propagation should be for personal rather than commercial use
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