What hardiness zones is Erysimum suitable for?

Erysimum is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

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Perennials

Erysimum ssp.

wallflower

BrassicaceaeEurope, Asia, North America

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitUpright

FoliageEvergreen

Height6–36 inches (15–90 cm)

Width12–24 inches (30–60 cm)

Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 10

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

Zone 10

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (moderate)

Container Friendly

Native to North America

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Erysimum, commonly called wallflower, is a genus of more than 150 species of annuals, biennials, short-lived perennials, and sub-shrubs in the family Brassicaceae, native to a broad range from the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asia to North America. Plants are characterized by erect stems, narrow lance-shaped to linear leaves with stellate (star-shaped) hairs, and dense terminal racemes of fragrant four-petaled flowers in yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, or cream. The common name derives from the ability of some species to grow in loose wall mortar and rocky crevices. In Pacific Northwest gardens, the most important ornamental Erysimum are the English wallflower (Erysimum cheiri, syn. Cheiranthus cheiri), traditionally grown as a biennial for its intensely fragrant spring flowers, and perennial hybrid wallflowers such as 'Bowles's Mauve', a long-blooming sub-shrubby perennial producing mauve-purple flowers from late winter to midsummer. Several North American native species exist in the Pacific Northwest, including Erysimum arenicola (dune wallflower) and E. capitatum (western wallflower), both of rocky, open habitats. All Erysimum species are mildly toxic if ingested in quantity.

Native Range

The genus Erysimum is broadly distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with species native to Europe, the Mediterranean basin, Central Asia, and North and Central America. Pacific Northwest native species include Erysimum arenicola (sand dune wallflower) and Erysimum capitatum (western wallflower), found on sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and open slopes. The commonly cultivated Erysimum cheiri is native to the eastern Mediterranean but has been cultivated in Europe for centuries and is widely naturalized.

Suggested Uses

Wallflowers are classic cottage garden plants for spring borders, raised beds, rock gardens, and, in the case of perennial types, as long-blooming accent plants in sunny mixed borders. Biennial Erysimum cheiri is traditionally paired with tulips in formal spring bedding displays for complementary colors and simultaneous bloom. Perennial 'Bowles's Mauve' is a workhorse border plant for Pacific Northwest gardens, providing near-continuous bloom from late winter through summer. Native Erysimum species are suited to native plant gardens, dry rocky slopes, and coastal dune restoration plantings.

How to Identify

Wallflowers are identified by narrow, lance-shaped to linear leaves with characteristic stellate (star-shaped) or bifid (two-pronged) hairs on the stem and leaf surface, giving a grayish-green or silvery texture. Flowers are four-petaled in a cross arrangement (cruciform), borne in dense terminal racemes, in yellow, orange, red, pink, or purple, typically with a spicy-sweet clove-like fragrance. Seed pods are long and narrow (siliques). The combination of fragrant cruciform flowers, stellate-hairy narrow leaves, and long narrow seed pods is diagnostic for the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

orange

red

pink

purple

cream

Foliage Colors

green

gray green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

WinterSpring

Bloom time varies by type. Biennial Erysimum cheiri blooms April through June in its second year in Pacific Northwest gardens. Perennial hybrid wallflowers such as 'Bowles's Mauve' bloom from late winter (February) through midsummer (July) in mild Pacific Northwest conditions, with peak bloom in spring. Native species such as Erysimum capitatum bloom April through July at varying elevations. Individual plants typically bloom for six to twelve weeks; perennial types bloom for longer seasons than biennials.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, or cream depending on species

Foliage Description

Gray-green to silvery-green, narrow lance-shaped with stellate hairs

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandchalkrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1–2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Cultural requirements vary by type. Biennial Erysimum cheiri is sown in late spring or early summer, grown as a vegetative rosette through winter, and transplanted to flowering positions in autumn for spring bloom. Perennial hybrid wallflowers such as 'Bowles's Mauve' are planted in spring in well-drained, fertile soil in full sun; they are relatively short-lived (two to four years) and are best replaced regularly with cuttings taken in late summer. All types require excellent drainage — poorly drained or waterlogged soil is fatal. Deadhead spent flower spikes on perennial types to prolong bloom. In Pacific Northwest gardens, perennial types can be remarkably long-blooming through the mild autumn season.

Pruning

For perennial hybrid wallflowers, cut back spent flowering stems by one-third to one-half after the main flush to encourage secondary growth and continued bloom. Do not cut into old woody stems — take cuttings from non-flowering shoot tips in late summer to propagate replacements before the parent plant declines. For biennial types, remove spent plants after seed set in early summer to make way for summer annuals or new biennial seedlings. Trim lightly in early spring to remove any winter-damaged tips.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans