Wallflower 'Cloth of Gold' Seeds
If you could bottle the smell of a cottage garden in April, it would smell like Wallflowers. 'Cloth of Gold' is a heritage variety that lives up to its name, producing dense, velvety spikes of rich, golden-yellow blooms that glow against fresh green foliage. This is the plant that wakes up the garden.
Blooming from March to May, it provides vital colour and an incredibly sweet, honey-clove fragrance just as the days start to lengthen. It is the classic partner for tulips, creating that thick, carpeted look seen in grand country estates, but is equally at home in a pot by the back door.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Erysimum cheiri 'Cloth of Gold' is a Hardy Biennial (H5). It follows a traditional two-year cycle: you sow the seeds in Year 1 (summer), they build a leafy rosette over the winter, and then burst into spectacular bloom in Year 2 (early spring).
The Routine: Sow seeds in May, June, or July. By autumn, they will have grown into small, leafy bushes. Transplant them to their final flowering position in October, planting firmly to withstand the winter wind. They will reward you with an explosion of gold from March to May.
Wildlife Champion: Wallflowers are among the most important plants for early season biodiversity. Listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, they provide a critical nectar source for queen bumblebees as they emerge in spring.
🌱 Growing Guide
Wallflowers are exceptionally robust and easy to raise in a nursery bed or pots outdoors.
How to Sow:
Sow outdoors from May to July. Scatter seeds thinly and cover lightly (5mm deep). Keep moist; germination is reliable and takes 14–21 days.
Where to Plant:
Transplant to their winter home in October. They demand a spot in full sun and thrive best in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil (lime or chalk). If your soil is heavy clay, add grit to ensure they don't sit in winter wet.
Ongoing Care:
Top Tip: When your plants reach 15cm tall, "pinch out" the top growing tip. This forces the plant to branch out, resulting in a much bushier habit and a significantly higher number of flower spikes.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Botanical Name | Erysimum cheiri 'Cloth of Gold' |
| Common Name | Heritage Wallflower |
| Plant Type | Hardy Biennial |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy through most of the UK) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | 40cm - 50cm |
| Spread | 30cm |
| Spacing | Plant 30cm apart |
| Flowering Period | March to May |
| Perfect For | 🐝 Early Bees 👃 Sweet Clove Scent 🌷 Tulip Companion ✂️ Spring Bouquets |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 50 seeds |
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations
The glowing golden-yellow of 'Cloth of Gold' pairs magnificently with spring purples and blues :
- 🔵 Forget-me-not 'Blue': The Classic Complement. Yellow and blue sit opposite each other on the colour wheel, making this pairing the most cheerful sight in spring. The low-growing blue carpet knits perfectly around the upright golden spikes.
- 💜 Honesty (Lunaria annua): The Royal Mix. Honesty blooms at the exact same time in April and May. Its vibrant purple flowers provide a high-contrast, regal backdrop for the rich golden Wallflowers.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in summer for flowers from March to May the following year.
🏆 RHS Plants for Pollinators
Wallflower 'Cloth of Gold' is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list. It is widely recognized as one of the single most important early-spring nectar sources for queen bumblebees as they begin foraging after winter hibernation.
📖 Want more detailed growing advice?
View our Complete Growing Guide for Wallflowers →
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£2.05 - Regular price
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