Purple Sweet Rocket Seeds 

Hesperis matronalis, commonly known as Purple Sweet Rocket, is a robust Hardy Perennial (H7) often grown as a biennial. It is exceptionally reliable in the UK, surviving temperatures down to -20°C and returns with vigour every spring to provide a tall, fragrant backdrop for your borders.

The Evening Performer: Sweet Rocket is a cornerstone of the "sensory garden." Its scent is specifically evolved to attract moths for pollination, meaning the fragrance intensifies significantly as the light fades. This makes it the perfect choice for planting near a patio or seating area where you spend your summer evenings.

Butterfly Hero: Listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, it is a vital early-season nectar source. In spring, it serves as a primary food plant for the caterpillars of the Orange Tip butterfly, making it a must-have for biodiversity-focused gardeners.

Purple Sweet Rocket is a tough, unfussy plant that is exceptionally easy to establish from seed, whether sown directly or in a dedicated seedbed.

How to Sow:
Sow directly outdoors into a prepared seedbed from May to July. Scatter the seeds thinly and cover lightly with about 5mm of soil. Keep the area moist until established. Germination usually occurs within 14-21 days. Alternatively, you can sow in trays indoors during spring for planting out in the autumn.

Where to Plant:
They thrive in partial shade or full sun. As a natural woodland edge plant, Hesperis is one of the few scented flowers that performs spectacularly under the dappled light of deciduous trees or along north-facing fences. It prefers cool, moist, well-drained soil and is very adaptable to most UK soil types.

Ongoing Care:
Move young plants to their final flowering positions in October so they can settle before winter; they benefit from a cold period to initiate flowering. If you cut the main central spike for a vase, the plant will reward you by sending up multiple side shoots, extending the blooming season into July. Leave a few flower heads at the end of the season to allow the plant to self-seed naturally.

The rich violet-purple of Hesperis looks spectacular when paired with light or contrasting structural partners from our collection:

• ❄️ Ammi Majus (Queen Anne's Lace): The Wild Look. The frothy white lace of Ammi Majus breaks up the solid purple clusters of the Sweet Rocket, creating a light, airy, naturalistic meadow feel that is alive with pollinators.
• 🍋 Foxglove 'Primrose Yellow': The Woodland Contrast. Instead of standard purple foxgloves, pair the purple Hesperis with these soft yellow Foxgloves. Yellow and purple are complementary colours, making both plants pop in a shady corner.

Sow in summer for lush leafy rosettes in Year 1, followed by a towering, scented display in Year 2.