Dame’s Rocket Blooming in Pennsylvania

Driving along a Pennsylvanian country road during the months of May or June, you are likely to see some patches of tall white, pink or violet flowers, called Dame’s Rocket or Dame’s Violet.

White and violet patches of Dame's Rocket give a splash of color to the Pennsylvanian roadside.
White and violet patches of Dame’s Rocket give a splash of color to the Pennsylvanian roadside.

The flowers of Dame’s Rocket, Hesperis matronalis, cluster at the top of one to three feet tall stems. Blooms with four petals that eventually give rise to erect seedpods indicate this garden escape is a member of the mustard family. Phlox spp. are similar in appearance although the flowers have five petals and you would most likely find phlox blooming in a wooded area.

Violet and white blooms of Dame's Violet have four petals.
Violet and white blooms of Dame’s Violet have four petals.

The white blossoms may have a tinge of pink or purple and some flowers are variegated. The stamens and style are retained mostly in the flower tube.

Dame's Rocket blooming in white.
Dame’s Rocket blooming in white.

A few small flower clusters project from the leaf axils. Finely toothed leaves attach directly to the hairy, stiff stem.

Violet flowers of a roadside beauty.
Violet flowers of a roadside beauty.
Dame's Rocket will catch your attention with its bright colors and great patches of many flowers.
Dame’s Rocket will catch your attention with its bright colors and great patches of many flowers.
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2 Responses to Dame’s Rocket Blooming in Pennsylvania

  1. Mike says:

    Great write up – have been curious about this flower for a long time. Thanks!

  2. wilde says:

    Hey Mike -
    The Dame’s Rocket is blooming wildly right now – at least in our part of PA! The pinks and purples and white flowers alongside the roads and highways are really beautiful. So nice for a roadside weed, isn’t it?

    Thanks for stopping by and come back again.

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