Dame's Rocket
Given Name: Hesperis matronalis
Nicknames: sweet rocket, dame's violet, wild phlox, mother-of-the-evening
Yoohoo- here I am!
Oh, this ol' thing? These are the same purple and white blooms I don every year in late May. You like them?
Oh stop- you're making me blush. Well, it was nice of you to notice. But really, how could you not? I do look fabulous every spring and because of that people have been planting me as an ornamental for centuries. Back home in Eurasia and in my new homes all around the world, you can count on me to add a swath of vibrant colour to any drab green landscape.
At first glance, though, you might mistake me for phlox- our blooms have a similar flair. But if you take the time to examine our floral finery closely, you'll find that my dear friend has 5 petals, while I only 4. Sometimes less is more, n'est pas?
Now, I hope that you won't think I'm too forward but are you up for an evening rendezvous? That's the only time that you can truly experience me in all my glory.
You see, in the evening, my blooms' perfume wafts through the air and delights your nostrils.
It's like music to your nose. You can even bring bouquets of me inside and fill your home with with my sweet smelling pizazz! No need to thank me- I love looking (and smelling) good and it's my duty as a beauty to share my loveliness with the world! And how do I do that, you ask? With seeds, seeds and more seeds, of course. I'm only a biennial but I act like a perennial because I self-seed so vigorously. I may even appear in your garden unannounced one day.
Wait... did you just say that you don't want me in your garden? Even with all I have to offer?
A weed? Moi?
You can't seriously believe that a classy plant such as myself is a weed! Ludicrous! Simply ludicrous.
Oh... I see... you can't handle an independent plant.
Now, I get it. I don't need you to seed me, water me or take care of me and that terrifies you. I won't stay confined to your garden perimeters or follow your silly garden rules so you shun me. Well, I can stand on my own feet- or roots as it is- and I won't put up with being praised for my appearance yet rejected for my strength! I will take my beauty elsewhere and find someone who appreciates all of me.
And just so that you know, you're missing out on some culinary pleasures by ostracizing me- my slightly fuzzy leaves and florets can be tossed in a pan with butter and gently sauteed. None of my mustard family cousins' bitter or spicy flavours in my greens. Just a delicate sweetness befitting my delicate flowers.
I may look like a meek belle but this luscious plant will never be your garden pet!
Yours Truly, Empowered Dame's Rocket
References:
Bergo, A. (n.d.). Dame's Rocket Buds/ Raabs. Forager/ Chef. https://foragerchef.com/dames-rocket-buds-raabs/
Cushman, W. (2019, June 21). Dame's Rocket, an Invasive Confused for Phlox, Is a Common Sight in Wisconsin. Wiscontext. https://www.wiscontext.org/dames-rocket-invasive-confused-phlox-common-sight-wisconsin
Dame's Rocket (n.d.). Cornell University. http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scenecd89.html
Ontario Weeds: Dame's rocket (n.d.). Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/ontweeds/dames_rocket.htm
Petruzzello, M. (assistant editor) (n.d.). Dame's Rocket. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/plant/dames-rocket
awesome☺️