Wallflower 'Ivory White' Seeds
While traditional wallflowers are known for their fiery oranges and yellows, 'Ivory White' brings a cool, elegant calm to the border. It produces dense spikes of creamy-white flowers that look almost like stocks, set against lush, dark green foliage. This variety is prized for its scent—it carries a rich, sweet perfume with notes of honey and primrose that lingers in the cool spring air.
It is the perfect plant for lightening up a dark corner or creating a sophisticated "White Garden" display early in the year, bridging the gap between winter and summer with effortless style. Wallflowers are among the first substantial nectar sources of the year, making 'Ivory White' a critical early resource for queen bumblebees emerging from hibernation.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Erysimum cheiri 'Ivory White' is a Hardy Biennial (H5). It operates on a two-year schedule: you sow the seeds in late spring or summer of Year 1, the plant builds a strong green rosette over the winter, and then bursts into fragrant bloom early the following spring.
The Routine: Sow in summer to grow into small leafy bushes by autumn. Transplant them to their final flowering position in October, planting them firmly to ensure they don't rock in the winter wind. They will survive the coldest British winters to bloom spectacularly from March to May.
Wildlife Champion: Wallflowers are officially recognized on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list. Their early-season nectar is a vital high-energy food source for bees during the critical spring period.
🌱 Growing Guide
Wallflowers are wonderfully robust, provided they are grown in well-draining, slightly alkaline soil.
How to Sow:
Sow outdoors in a nursery bed or in pots from May to July. Scatter seeds thinly and cover very lightly (5mm deep). Germination is usually reliable and takes 14-21 days. Keep the area moist but not waterlogged.
Where to Plant:
They demand full sun and thrive in lime or chalky soils. They hate acidic, boggy conditions, so add grit to the planting hole if you have heavy clay.
Ongoing Care:
Top Tip: Pinch out the growing tip! When your young plants are 10-15cm tall in late summer, nip off the top. This forces them to branch out, resulting in a much bushier habit and far more flower spikes the following spring.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Botanical Name | Erysimum cheiri 'Ivory White' |
| Common Name | Creamy Scented Wallflower |
| Plant Type | Hardy Biennial |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy through most of the UK) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | 40cm - 45cm |
| Spread | 30cm |
| Spacing | Plant 30cm apart |
| Flowering Period | March to May |
| Perfect For | ⚪ White Gardens 👃 Powerful Scent 🐝 Early Pollinators 💐 Cut Flowers |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 50 seeds |
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations
The neutral creamy-white of 'Ivory White' makes it an exceptional partner for high-contrast spring schemes :
- ⚫ Scabious 'Black Knight': For early summer transition, the creamy wallflowers act as a bright foil for the near-black, velvety maroon pincushion flowers, creating a chic, modern combination.
- ❄️ Forget-me-not 'White': The Ethereal Carpet. Pairing the taller 'Ivory White' with a frothy understory of white Forget-me-nots creates a luminous, all-white display that glows in the low spring light.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in summer for flowers from March to May the following year.
🏆 RHS Plants for Pollinators
Wallflower 'Ivory White' 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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