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Sweet rocket

Hesperis matronalisBrassicaceaeBiennial

A tall biennial brassica carrying loose heads of lilac or white flowers in early summer, scenting the evening air strongly — the scent intensifies at dusk to attract moths. It is a generous nectar plant for long-tongued bees during the day and for moths at night.

Where not to plant it

Invasive in parts of North America, where it spreads into woodland and riparian areas and displaces native flora. It is restricted in several states.

Value to bees

Nectar
High
Pollen
Moderate
As a honey crop
Not a honey source
Which bees, and why
Worked by long-tongued bumblebees and butterflies during the day and by moths at dusk, when the scent strengthens markedly. Plants that serve both shifts are unusual and worth having.

A crucifer with a moderately deep tube, suiting longer-tongued bees, butterflies and moths.

Worth knowing
A good early summer nectar source, and one of the better plants for the day and night shift together.

Flowering

In flower
May to July (northern hemisphere)

An early summer flow, running for several weeks.

Growing it

Conditions
Sun or part shade on almost any reasonable soil that does not dry out badly.
Size
60-100 cm tall.
Native range
Southern Europe and western Asia. Naturalised widely, and invasive in parts of North America.
Suits
Small gardens, Large gardens, Meadow or wildflower area, Hedgerow
  • Biennial to short-lived perennial; let it self-seed to keep it going.
  • Single-flowered forms are the ones to grow — double cultivars offer nothing.
  • Deadhead selectively to prolong flowering, leaving some heads to seed.

What it looks like

An upright biennial or short-lived perennial with loose branched heads of four-petalled lilac, mauve or white flowers, strongly scented, especially in the evening.

Sources

  • Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland — Bloomsbury (2015) · Field guide
  • HoneyHQ editorial synthesis — HEKNO Ltd · HoneyHQ synthesis

How sources are selected and weighted is set out in the sources and evidence policy.

Guides covering this plant

Tools for planning planting

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