FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
erect, biennial or perennial herbs with branching leafy sterna Leaves 
alternate. Flowers large, numerous, in terminal or axillary racemea 
The sepals erect, side ones enlarged at base; petals clawed; stigma lobes 
almost erect. Pods roundish, seeds in a single row, valves keeled Natives 
of Europe and Western Asia. 
History Hesperis vnatronalis has been so long cultivated in 
gardens that the date of its introduction is not known. Its 
native countries are known to be in Southern Europe and Russian Asia, 
and it has been included in the British floras of various authors, but it 
is now well understood that the specimens occasionally found growing 
wild are the descendants of garden Rockets. This species was described 
by an old horticultural writer as “ so remarkable for imparting a most 
fragrant odour, that the ladies were fond of having them in their apart¬ 
ments. Hence derived the name Dame’s Violet, and bearing some 
resemblance to a Stock-gilliflower, were sometimes also called Queen’s- 
gilliflower; but are now most commonly called Rocket” H. tristis, 
the Dull-flowered Rocket, was introduced from Eastern Europe two 
hundred and sixty years ago. Of H. grandiflora, another cultivated 
species, the native country is unknown. H. matronalis is the species 
most commonly grown, and even that is more frequently seen in 
cottage gardens than in large spaces; but it is certainly as deserving of 
more general cultivation as the Stock. 
spedeB Hesperis matronalis (matronly). Common Rocket, 
Dame’s Rocket, Dame’s Violet Stems erect, 2 to 3 feet 
Leaves oblong, lance-shaped, with long narrow points, and finely-toothed. 
Flowers f of an inch across, white, lilac, red, purple or variegated, 
fragrant in the evening, probably because chiefly fertilised by night- 
flying moths. There are many double and single varieties. Flowers 
from May to August 
H. tristis (dull). Dull-flowered Rocket, or Night-scented Stock. 
Stems much branched near the top, 1 to 2 feet high. Radical leaves 
stalked, upper stalkless; egg-shaped with long points, entire or toothed. 
Flowers ranging in colour from white or cream to brownish-red or dark 
purple; May to August Biennial. 
cultivation. The double forms of H. matronalis are most worthy 
of recommendation, but the single forms are well worth 
growing. They will grow almost anywhere, but they prefer a moist 
sandy loam, that has been well worked, and is in a shady position. The 
single kinds are most readily increased by seed, which may be sown in 
March or April in a border of light earth. The seedlings should be 
thinned out to a couple of inches apart, and when these have become 
