Have you heard of or seen these lovely flowers? They grow wild in wet and loamy soil but they are the most beautiful wildflowers in our backyard. Dame’s Rocket – wild and beautiful wildflowers. It is also known as wild phlox depending on your region.
Dame’s Rocket has four petals and belongs to a family of Crucifers such as cabbage and mustard.
Other Names for Dame’s Rocket
- Summer lilac
- Dame’s violet
- Damask violet
- Sweet rock
- Mother of the evening
- Smelling rocket
When I first saw them growing in the backyard, I did not pay attention to them. Normally, I always grab my phone and check the plants on an identifier app whenever there’s an unfamiliar plant that pops up in the yard. And, I also didn’t think of mowing them. Therefore, I just let them grow.
Then after a few days, I saw tiny buds on their tops. Cute colors! I started admiring them and visited them almost every day in the backyard. I couldn’t wait for them to bloom.
Spring brought constant rain, helping them bloom. Their tiny bud clusters were stunning – light purple-pink before fully opening, with white and dark purple when fully bloomed.
Dame’s Rocket Flower Colors
- Purple
- Lavender
- Pink
- White
These are the colors of the flowers that grew in the backyard. Some come in pale shades.
Dame’s Rocket Blooming Season
They emerge around in late spring and start blooming in May until August. Their petals have a strong scent at night time.
Bees and Butterflies Favorite
The pollinators enjoy the Dame’s Rocket flowers including the moths! Yes, moths! We get a bunch of moth species until summer. This is also the reason why I let them grow wildly as long as they are in the back area of the yard and not invading my other flower beds.
Are Dame’s Rocket Toxic to Pets?
According to Greg App, Dame’s Rocket is toxic to dogs and cats. But, so far, my dog never showed interest in this plant. My dog is more interested in chasing the squirrels and rabbits that visit our yard.
Are Dame’s Rocket Invasive?
Yes, they are aggressive! The first year when I saw them, I let them flower and dry. I didn’t do anything to control them because I was so mesmerized by their beauty. But then the second year, they multiplied. I saw them everywhere in the backyard.
Last year, I decided to pull out some of them after they flowered but kept most by the fence since they looked beautiful there and they’re out of the way.
Dame’s Rocket a Flower of Deceit
Why is it called a “flower of deceit”? Flowers mostly are fragrant no matter what time of the day it is. But, Dame’s Rocket is unscented during daytime but when the nighttime comes, it releases a strong scent.
Low Maintenance Plant
Dame’s rocket does not require a lot of care. I considered them self-sufficient wildflowers because wildflowers are usually low-maintenance plants. They grow, bloom, self-seed, and go back to dormancy. I just let them bloom so the pollinators can enjoy their food.
Dame’s Rocket are beautiful but they get wild and could invade your yard if you don’t control them. What do you think of this plant? Do you consider planting them in your backyard? I wish you good luck and happy gardening!
