Hesperis Purple (Sweet Rocket)

A cottage garden classic for a reason. Purple Sweet Rocket produces tall, branching stems topped with loose clusters of four-petalled flowers in a rich, vibrant violet-purple — beautiful during the day, and truly alive at dusk, when it releases a powerful sweet fragrance of violets and cloves designed to attract night-flying moths.

It thrives in those tricky semi-shaded spots under trees or along fences, filling them with colour and perfume just when you want to sit out and relax. Self-seeds freely once established.

• Hesperis matronalis — Hardy Biennial (H5)
• Height: 60–90cm | Flowers: May–July (Year 2)
• Sow outdoors May–July; flowers the following summer
• Partial shade to full sun; well-drained soil
• Self-seeds freely once established
• Outstanding moth plant — vital for night pollinators

Grow it with White Sweet Rocket for a twilight border of white and violet that fills the garden with scent from May to July.