Wallflower

Wallflower Overview

Also known commonly as Wallflower, the genus Erysimum contains over 260 annual, biennial and semi-evergreen or evergreen perennials and subshrubs. All are typically grown for their attractive fragrant flowers and perennials in this genus are generally short-lived and treated as biennial plants in cultivation. Occasionally listed with the synonym name Cheiranthus many cultivars have been developed with a wide range of colours. Semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken from your favourite coloured plants in spring or summer to continue your display the following spring. However, ready to plant bare-root plug plants are readily available in autumn. Soak the roots for half an hour before planting and space them 30cm (12") apart. They are full to frost hardy and will need sun and well-drained soil. Pinching out the growing tips of young plants - when they reach 12cm (5") in height - will encourage bushy growth and greater flower production. Once flowering has finished, prune these plants back to prevent them from getting too leggy. Water, apply a slow-release fertiliser and mulch to help the plant recover. This can encourage plants to produce a second flush of flowers in autumn.