Ever wondered why the simple wallflower is so loved in spring? Its bright colors and sweet scent make it a favorite. These perennials come in shades from golden-yellow to deep orange. They're easy to grow and add charm to any spring garden.
Introduction to Wallflowers
Wallflowers, or the Erysimum genus, are fascinating plants that have captured the hearts of gardeners for centuries. They come in over 270 species and are loved for their bright, fragrant flowers. These plants can grow well in many conditions.
Their history goes back to the Mediterranean, where they were first found. In the UK, they might have been introduced by the Normans in the Middle Ages during castle building.
Now, wallflowers are found in public parks and formal gardens. They belong to the Brassicaceae family, which also includes cabbages and mustards. Their flowers have four petals and attract bees and butterflies.
Wallflowers are great for both experienced and new gardeners. They add beauty and fragrance to any garden. Their vibrant colors and hardiness make them a favorite worldwide.
Wallflower Flower: Growing and Care
Wallflowers are a joy to have in any garden, thanks to their lovely scent and bright colors. To grow them, plant the seeds in the fall or early spring. Just press them gently into the soil. They love sunny spots and fit well in many garden types, like rock gardens and cottage gardens.
These plants are tough and can live through the cold, perfect for USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9. In cooler areas, cut them back in the fall. They'll come back in spring, ready to bloom again.
Wallflowers like soil that drains well and has a pH between 7.0 and 9.0. They can handle quite alkaline soil. Once they're established, they're pretty drought-resistant and need little water. These plants can grow quite tall, up to 3 feet, and wide, showing off colors like yellow, orange, and purple.
For the best growth, plant wallflowers in soil that drains well and has a bit of sand or grit. Keep them about 10 to 12 inches apart. They belong to the Brassicaceae family, so they might get pests like flea beetles. But they're usually safe from these pests in dry conditions.
Adding wallflowers to your garden is a great idea, whether you're an expert or just starting. By following these growing wallflowers and wallflower care tips, you'll enjoy their beauty and fragrance for many years.
Popular Wallflower Varieties
The world of wallflowers, or Erysimum, is vast and diverse. It has over 270 species and countless cultivars. These fragrant spring bloomers come in a wide range of colors, growth habits, and flowering times. They can fit any garden. Some of the most well-known and popular Erysimum varieties include:
- Erysimum cheiri (Aegean Wallflower): A classic wallflower that has provided genetic traits for many hybrids and cultivars.
- Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve': One of the most popular cultivars, known for its long flowering season from early spring to mid-autumn.
- Erysimum 'Ivory White': A striking variety with pure white blooms.
- Erysimum scoparium: A relative of the Aegean wallflower, known for its hardiness and striking mauve to deep purple-hued flowers.
- Erysimum menziesii: A species native to the northwest and Canada, with a taller growth habit than its cousins.
- Erysimum 'Golden Jubilee': A vibrant cultivar with golden-yellow flowers.
- Erysimum capitatum: A tall-growing species with a different appearance from the more common Erysimum asperum.
- Erysimum pallasii: A hardy Russian native with mauve to deep purple blooms.
- Erysimum baeticum and Erysimum cazorlense: Endemic to sunny Spain, with narrow petals and grass-like foliage.
- Erysimum 'Night Skies': A unique cultivar with deep, velvety purple flowers.
- Erysimum 'Red Jep' and Erysimum 'Blood Red': Tall, intense red-flowering varieties.
- Erysimum 'Constant Cheer': One of the oldest perennial wallflower cultivars, with brick-pink flowers aging to mauve.
- Erysimum linifolium 'Variegatum': A striking cultivar with variegated foliage.
- Erysimum 'Fair Lady' and Erysimum 'Persian Carpet': Colorful, multiflowered cultivars with a range of hues.
These are just a few examples of the diverse and captivating Erysimum varieties available to gardeners. Whether you're looking for tall, short, early, late, or multi-colored blooms, there's a wallflower to suit every taste and garden.
Fragrant Wallflowers for Your Garden
Wallflowers, also known as Erysimum, are famous for their lovely scent. They draw pollinators to your garden. E. 'Bowles's Mauve', E. 'Night Skies', E. 'Constant Cheer', and E. 'Fragrant Star' are some of the sweetest. They bring a mix of parma violet and mellow honey, making your spring garden smell wonderful.
Erysimum, the group that includes wallflowers, are perennials that stand out. They often outshine plants like yarrow and perennial salvia. Many Erysimum types don't produce seeds, which means they keep blooming longer. Some wallflowers even live for two years, dying after their second bloom.
The "Bowles' Mauve" can bloom for up to nine months but isn't as fragrant as others. "Walberton's Fragrant Star" has lemon yellow and plum flowers with scented leaves. "Apricot Twist" has orange flowers and a nice smell too.
If you want an even stronger scent, try "Winter Orchid". Its flowers change from red to purple and have a light scent. No matter the type, fragrant wallflowers bring a unique aroma to your spring garden.
Companion Plants for Wallflowers
Wallflowers are great in the garden and pair well with other flowers. They look good with tall flowers like snapdragons, which add height and color. Alliums and tulips also work well, making the garden bright and colorful in early spring.
The Eden Brothers' Fairlady and Passion Wallflower Seed Mixes offer many colors to mix with other spring flowers. Most wallflowers bloom for two years, starting in March and lasting into summer. Some, like 'Bowles Mauve', can bloom all year.
Wallflowers grow 10 to 30 inches tall, perfect for borders or containers with forget-me-nots. They love full sun and moist, well-drained soil. This makes them great with spring bulbs, which also like these conditions.
| Companion Plants for Wallflowers | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Snapdragons | Taller flowers that complement wallflowers' bold colors and early blooms |
| Alliums | Create a vibrant display of early spring color with wallflowers |
| Tulips | Thrive in similar growing conditions and provide additional spring color |
| Forget-me-nots | Lower-growing plants that work well with the height of wallflowers |
Choosing the right plants that grow well with wallflowers can make your garden look amazing. The wallflower companion plants listed above are great for adding beauty to your garden in the early season.
Pruning and Maintenance
Wallflowers, especially the perennial types, can get woody and long over time. To keep them looking good and lasting longer, trimming them in midsummer is key. This simple cut can greatly improve their health and life span.
When trimming wallflowers, cut back into the foliage to remove any long or woody stems. If stems are very woody, cut them to the base. But remember to take some cuttings to grow new plants. This hard cut can make the plant healthier and promote new growth next season.
Proper pruning and care keep wallflowers blooming for many years and keep them bushy. By stopping them from getting too long, your garden will keep enjoying their bright, fragrant flowers.
Also, removing dead flowers helps them bloom longer and makes them focus on new flowers. With some care, you can make your wallflowers last longer and keep them looking great in your garden for years.
Conclusion
Wallflowers, or Erysimum, are fascinating plants that brighten gardens with their colors and scents. They are easy to grow and come in over 270 types. This makes them perfect for any spring garden, in pots, rock gardens, or mixed borders.
Learning how to care for these spring flowers lets gardeners enjoy their beauty every year. Wallflowers adapt well to different climates and help pollinators. They are great for both new and experienced gardeners, adding color and fragrance to any garden.
When looking into Erysimum varieties, think about the meanings behind their colors. Yellow symbolizes joy and optimism, while red stands for love and desire. Let wallflowers bring joy and beauty to your garden.
