Wallflower Erysimum cheiri 'Sunset Primrose' (Sunset Series)
ABOUT
The Sunset Primrose is a vibrant and ornamental plant renowned for its profusion of colorful flowers. The blooms exhibit a rich palette of shades ranging from deep purples and blues to warm oranges, reds, and yellows, often with a gradation of colors that resemble the hues of a sunset, hence its name. These flowers are borne on clusters that rise above the foliage, providing a striking display. The petals are typically four in number, forming a cross-shape, which is a distinct characteristic of flowers in this group. The foliage of the Sunset Primrose consists of narrow, lance-shaped leaves which present a green to bluish-green color. The leaves can have a slightly wavy or ruffled texture, adding to the plant's visual interest. The plant tends to form a bushy clump, with the leaves densely packed at the base, offering a lush background that further accentuates the colorful floral display above. Overall, the Sunset Primrose is appreciated for its brilliant flowers and extended blooming period, making it a favorite for gardeners looking to add a splash of enduring color to their landscapes.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Brassicaceae
Synonyms
Wallflower, Cheiranthus, English Wallflower
Common names
Erysimum cheiri, Cheiranthus cheiri, Cheiranthus x cheiri, Erysimum x cheiri
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Biennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Varies
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Erysimum cheiri, commonly known as Wallflower, adds vibrant colors to gardens with its beautiful range of orange, yellow, and pink flowers.
- Extended Blooming Season: Wallflowers have a long flowering period, often from early spring to late summer, providing a continuous display of color.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers of Wallflower attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are essential for the pollination of many plants.
- Easy to Grow: Wallflower is known for being easy to cultivate, making it a good choice for novice gardeners and those with less gardening experience.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Wallflower is relatively drought-resistant, requiring minimal watering and being suitable for xeriscaping.
- Versatility: The plant can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, containers, and rock gardens, adding flexibility to garden design.
- Perennial Growth: In suitable climates, Wallflower can grow as a perennial, regrowing each spring and requiring less maintenance than annuals.
- Fragrance: The flowers emit a pleasant fragrance that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden.
- Resilience to Pests: Wallflowers are relatively resistant to pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments in the garden.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Wallflower 'Sunset Primrose' can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, yielding shades of yellow or green depending on the mordant used.
- The flowers are edible and can add a peppery flavor to salads or can be used as a decorative garnish on desserts and other dishes.
- They can be pressed and used in floral crafts such as making bookmarks, greeting cards, or decoupage projects.
- Wallflower petals can be infused to make a subtly fragrant floral water for use in homemade cosmetics or room sprays.
- They can be incorporated into potpourris for a hint of spring fragrance inside the home.
- Whole Wallflower 'Sunset Primrose' plants can be used in companion planting to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden.
- Wallflower leaves can be included in a natural compost heap to add nutrient variety as they decompose.
- The plant can be used in educational settings to teach students about plant biology, pollination, and the lifecycle of flowers.
- Its sturdy stems can be used in lightweight plant-support structures, like for helping younger or weaker plants stand.
- Wallflower seed pods can be dried and used in decorative arrangements or as part of a natural seed collection display.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
Wallflower is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
Wallflower is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Optimism: The vibrant colors of the Wallflower often symbolize positive energy and an optimistic approach to life.
- Adversity: Wallflowers are robust and can grow in challenging conditions, representing the ability to endure and thrive in adversity.
- Loyalty: The Wallflower plant's long blooming period is sometimes associated with faithfulness and steadfastness.
- Friendship: Their clustered blooms may symbolize the close-knit bonds formed in friendship, as they grow together in groups.
- Water
For Wallflower 'Sunset Primrose', ensure the soil is kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. During active growth in spring and summer, water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which could be approximately once a week, but this may vary with climate conditions. In cooler months, reduce watering frequency to prevent root rot, but do not allow the soil to completely dry out. Provide the plant with about 1 gallon of water at each watering, ensuring it reaches the roots for proper absorption.
- Light
Wallflower 'Sunset Primrose' thrives best in full sun conditions where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. It can also tolerate partial shade, but too much shade may result in fewer blooms and a leggy growth habit. The ideal location is a spot where the plant is exposed to morning sunlight and protected from the intense afternoon heat.
- Temperature
Wallflower 'Sunset Primrose' is adaptable to a range of temperatures but prefers a cooler range between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can withstand temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from severe frosts. During extreme heat, Wallflower 'Sunset Primrose' may need additional water and some shade to prevent stress.
- Pruning
Pruning Wallflower 'Sunset Primrose' encourages bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous flowering throughout the season. In late winter or early spring, cut back the plants by about one-third to maintain a tidy form and stimulate new growth. The best time to perform major pruning is when new growth begins.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Wallflower thrives in a soil mix with good drainage, such as a blend of loam, compost, and sand with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Regular garden soil amended with compost and a handful of perlite or gritty sand can create the ideal growing conditions.
- Repotting
The Wallflower, being a short-lived perennial or biennial, doesn't typically require frequent repotting. It should be repotted or transplanted only if it outgrows its current container or if the soil needs refreshing, which may be every two to three years.
- Humidity & Misting
Wallflowers prefer a moderate humidity level, but as Mediterranean plants, they can tolerate a certain amount of dryness. Normal indoor air humidity is generally adequate for this plant, and there is no need for any special humidity adjustments.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Ensure bright light and good air circulation for indoor Wallflowers.
Outdoor
Plant in a sunny spot with well-drained soil for outdoor growth.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA
- Life cycle
Erysimum cheiri 'Sunset Primrose' begins its life as a seed which germinates in late winter to early spring. After germination, the seedlings grow and develop a rosette of leaves at the base. As it matures, the plant sends up flower stalks adorned with bright, fragrant blooms in a range of colors from yellow to orange and pink. Pollination of flowers by insects, predominantly bees, allows for the production of new seeds. Once flowering has concluded, the plant sets seed in small, elongated pods called siliques, and as the plant completes its annual or biennial cycle, it senesces and dies, leaving seeds to start the next generation. In milder climates, the plant may act as a short-lived perennial, surviving for a few years before needing to be replaced.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring to early summer
Wallflower 'Sunset Primrose', a charming perennial known for its vivid blooms, is commonly propagated through the sowing of seeds. The ideal time to sow wallflower seeds is late spring to early summer, and these seeds will typically germinate in 14 to 21 days if given the correct conditions. The most popular method involves scattering the seeds thinly on the surface of a well-draining, moist seed-starting mix in trays or pots. It's important not to cover the seeds with soil since they need light to germinate. Place the seed containers in a bright area but out of direct sunlight and maintain a temperature between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (about 18 to 21 degrees Celsius). Keep the medium slightly moist, and once seedlings have developed a couple of true leaves, they can be thinned out and eventually transplanted into individual pots or their final location in the garden.