Wallflower 'Fair Lady' Seeds

Erysimum cheiri 'Fair Lady' is a Hardy Biennial (H5). It follows the classic two-year cycle: you sow the seeds in summer, the plant builds a strong green rosette over the winter, and then bursts into fragrant bloom early the following spring.

Few plants signal the arrival of spring quite like wallflowers. They are among the first substantial nectar sources of the year, blooming from March through May. 'Fair Lady' is a heritage-style mix particularly prized for its soft texture and its ability to withstand typical British frosts with ease.

Wildlife Champion: Wallflowers are a critical resource for pollinators. They are officially listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, acting as a vital early-season nectar source for queen bumblebees as they emerge from hibernation.

Wallflowers are robust and reliable, provided they are not grown in acidic or boggy conditions.

How to Sow:
Sow outdoors in a nursery bed or in pots from May to July. Sow the seeds 5mm deep; they typically take 14–21 days to germinate. Keep the soil moist but never waterlogged.

Where to Plant:
Plant out into their final flowering positions in September or October. They demand a spot in full sun and thrive best in slightly alkaline soil (lime or chalk). If your soil is heavy clay, add grit to improve drainage, as they will rot in soggy winter ground.

Ongoing Care:
The "Pinching" Tip: To avoid leggy plants and encourage a bushier habit with significantly more flower spikes, "pinch" the plants when they are 10–15cm tall by nipping off the top growing tip. This forces the plant to branch out, resulting in a more spectacular display come spring.

Pest Note: As members of the Brassica family, they may attract Cabbage White Butterfly caterpillars in late summer; check leaves regularly and pick them off manually.

The soft, muted tones of 'Fair Lady' make it a dream for creating romantic, cottage-style spring displays :

• ❄️ Forget-me-not 'White': The Pure Pastel Pair. The snowy white carpet of Forget-me-nots acts as a luminous base that allows the soft apricot and lemon tones of 'Fair Lady' to shine without looking stark.
• 🎀 Nigella 'Persian Jewels': The Transition. If you sow Nigella in autumn, its feathery foliage will frame the wallflowers in spring, and its pastel blooms will seamlessly take over once the wallflowers have finished.

Sow in summer for flowers from March to May the following year.