Erysimum Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 24th Nov 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Erysimum plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Erysimum carry vibrant long-lasting flowers, making them excellent for adding color to gardens. These hardy perennials are prized for their hues and sweet fragrance.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Tolerant of a range of soil types, even poor and sandy soils.
- General Care: Low maintenance. Regular deadheading will encourage continuous blooming.
- Tips for New Gardeners: This Wallflower is ideal for novice gardeners. It's easy to grow and care for, and requires minimal attention beyond basic watering and occasional deadheading.
Wallflower: Cultivation & Garden Use
Erysimum make up a large genus of plants that can be hardy annual, hardy biennial, or hardy perennials in nature. They can range from 15 cm to about a meter (6 to 40 inches) in size.
They are very similar to Cheiranthus true wallflowers, hence some of their common names.
Some names for Erysimum include Alpine Wallflower, Coastal Wallflower, Siberian Wallflower, and Blister cress.
Erysimum capitatum - Western Wallflower by Miguel Vieira
They have foliage that is lance like. Plants bloom in the spring, with yellow, purple, or orange four petaled flowers.
Depending on the species, they can be used in both rock gardens or in the border.
Some of the latin names of these plants include Erysimum cheiri, Erysimum cheiranthoides, Erysimum linifolium, and Erysimum allionii.
Erysimum asperum - Prairie Rocket Wallflower by Photogramma1.
Commonly Grown Erysimum Species
Erysimum capitatum
Erysimum capitatum (Sanddune wallflower / Western wallflower / Prairie rocket), photograph by Matt Lavin; CC.
Erysimum cheiri
Erysimum cheiri (Wallflower), picture by Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project; CC.
Erysimum repandum
Erysimum repandum (Spreading wallflower / Spreading treacle mustard / Bushy wallflower), Image by Radu Chibzii; CC.
Erysimum linifolium
Erysimum linifolium (Alpine wall flower), photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
Commonly Grown Erysimum / Wallflower Cultivars
Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve'
Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve' Cultivar photograph by Leonora (Ellie) Enking; CC.
Erysimum 'Winter Joy'
Erysimum 'Winter Joy' Cultivar photograph by Valleybrook Gardens; CC.
Erysimum 'Winter orchid '
Erysimum 'Winter orchid' Cultivar photograph by Valleybrook Gardens; CC.
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Erysimum Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Wallflower, Blister Cress. Wallflower: Siberian; Alpine; Western; Diffuse; Wormseed; Smelly; Pallas'; Kotschy; Coastal; Shy; Fairy; San Francisco.Family: Brassicaceae.
Life Cycle: Hardy annual. Hardy biennial. Hardy perennial.
Height: 4 to 50 inches (10 to 130 cm).
Garden Location: Rock gardens, Beds, Borders, by Walls, Containers. Many species thrive in sandy coastal areas.
rock gardens or in the border Native: Mediterranean, North and Central America, Europe, Southwestern Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 9. UK Zone H6, Hardy to about -20°C (-4°F)
Flowers: Late winter, spring.
Flower Details: Yellow, Red, Burgundy, Cream, Orange, Violet, Brown. Raceme. Four petals. Veins. Bilateral. Fragrant
Foliage: Narrow. Lance. Evergreen. Dark grey-green.
Sow Outside: 1/4 inch (6mm). Annuals and biennials: spring; perennials: spring or autumn. Spacing 3 to 10 inches (8 to 25 cm). Germination time: two to four weeks.
Sow Inside: No.
Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Soil pH 5 to 8. Average soil. Deadhead. Autumn mulch in cold areas. Prefer sheltered areas, such as beside a wall. Propagate: cuttings in spring.
How to Grow Wallflower and other Erysimum Plants in your Garden
It depends on the species as to when the Erysimum seeds should be planted out:
1. Annuals: Sow seeds in Autumn or spring.
2. Biennials: Start in spring, move in autumn.
3. Perennials Spring or Autumn
Seeds should be planted at a depth of about 7 mm (1/4 inch) into a sunny part of the garden that has good drainage.
They usually take about two to four weeks to germinate. Wallflowers and other Erysimum members like a dry soil of pH 5 to 8.
Caring for Erysimum species in the garden
Once growing you should care for Erysimum wallflowers by deadheading after flowering. Provide them with a mulching in the Autumn.
If you require more plants then cuttings should be took in the spring; as Erysimum plants self seed this may not be necessary.
Common Questions
How many members does the Erysimum genus have?
The Erysimum genus consists of about 180 species.
Do members of Erysimum make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Erysimum, known as Wallflowers, are popular bedding and container plants with a wonderful spring fragrance.
Which Erysimum species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
Erysimum cheiri (Common Wallflower) and Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve' are often grown by gardeners.
Are members of the Erysimum plant genus fragrant?
Yes, many Erysimum species, especially the Wallflowers, are known for their delightful fragrance.
What is the perfect location to grow Erysimum?
Erysimum prefers a sunny location with well-drained soil.
Is Erysimum invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Erysimum is not considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Erysimum plants from my garden?
Remove Erysimum by uprooting the plant, ensuring to remove all roots to prevent regrowth.
Summary
The Erysimum genus, commonly known as Wallflower, includes about 180 species of flowering plants native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. These annuals or perennials produce clusters of fragrant, often brightly colored flowers from spring to early summer.
Erysimum plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can be grown from seeds or cuttings. With their long flowering period and rich colors, they are excellent for adding vibrancy to borders, containers, or rock gardens. They also attract butterflies and are resistant to deer and rabbits.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Erysimum plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ Brassicaceae growing guides: How to grow Sea kale, Thuja occidentalis, Parsnip and Iberis plants.
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