Wallflower 'Ruby Gem' Seeds
If 'Cloth of Gold' is the sunshine, 'Ruby Gem' is the wine. This spectacular heritage variety produces dense flower spikes in a deep, glowing shade of ruby-red to velvety crimson. The petals have a unique, satin-like texture that seems to absorb the light, giving the flower heads a rich, heavy appearance.
Like all traditional wallflowers, the scent is incredible. On a sunny spring day, 'Ruby Gem' releases a warm, spicy clove fragrance that wafts through the garden. It is the perfect plant for adding depth and drama to your spring bedding displays, looking particularly stunning when planted alongside crisp white tulips.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Wallflowers are classic Biennials.
They operate on a two-year schedule. You sow them in late spring/summer of Year 1, they grow leaves through autumn, and then bloom the following spring (Year 2).
The Routine: Sow seeds in summer. Plant them out into their final flowering position in October (planting them firmly to withstand winter winds). They will survive the frost and burst into flower as the days lengthen in March/April.
Top Tip: Pinch them! When the young plants are about 10-15cm tall in late summer, nip off the top growing tip. This forces the plant to branch out, creating a bushy shape with many more flower spikes.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Wallflowers are best raised in a "nursery bed" outdoors before moving to their final spot.
Germination:
Sow outdoors from May to July. Scatter seeds thinly into a prepared seedbed or pots outdoors. Cover very lightly (5mm deep). Keep moist. Germination is reliable and takes 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:
They thrive in full sun. They prefer soil that is slightly alkaline (they love lime/chalk) and well-drained. They hate acidic, boggy conditions.
Care While Growing:
The Autumn Move: In October, dig up your young wallflower plants from their nursery bed (or empty your pots) and plant them firmly into borders or containers for their winter home. Firming them in well prevents wind-rock during winter storms.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Erysimum cheiri |
| Common Name | Wallflower 'Ruby Gem' |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy Biennial) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 40cm - 45cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 30cm apart |
| Great for | 🔴 Rich Colour 👃 Spicy Scent 🐝 Early Pollinators 🌷 Tulip Partners |
| Seed Count | Approx. 250 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The deep crimson of 'Ruby Gem' creates a luxurious display when paired with lighter or contrasting tones:
- 💙 Forget-me-not 'Blue': A jewel-toned carpet. The electric blue of the Forget-me-not against the deep ruby of the Wallflower creates a vibrant, high-energy display that wakes up the garden in April.
- ⚪ Wallflower 'Ivory White': Strawberries and Cream. Mixing 'Ruby Gem' with 'Ivory White' creates a sophisticated, classic bi-colour scheme that looks elegant in both borders and containers.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in summer. Plant out in autumn. Flowers the following spring.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Outdoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Plant Out | 🌱 | 🌱 | ||||||||||
| Flowers (Yr 2) | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Wallflowers are one of the most important plants for early pollinators. They are listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list as a critical nectar source for queen bumblebees in spring.
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£2.15 - Regular price
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£2.15
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