ERYSIMUM. Wallflower. Widespread in temperate regions. Showy perennials and subshrubs of the mustard family, varying widely in habit. They have narrow, usually toothed leaves and fragrant four-petalled blossoms painted white to yellow, orange, red or purple. Sun, reasonably well drained soil, moderate to little watering when established. Hardiness varies.

‘Bowles’ Mauve’. I can clearly remember the arrival of this plant at Western Hills Nursery, as something “very special” from England. Now it sits in the nursery section of every major drug and hardware store. For all that, it still has some endearing qualities. This is a small (to 3-4’) dome shaped shrub, with attractive greyish-tan bark and narrow bluish green leaves, closely set around the stems. In late winter and early spring, flowering shoots are produced at the branch tips, gradually elongating to display a succession of 3/4", four-petalled, mauve pink blossoms. The plants often bloom again in fall for us–or sometimes, never stop. 15^oF. or less.

concinnum. Pt. Reyes Wallflower. A coastal native with short, stout stems, tipped in spring by clusters of white to pale yellow, delightfully fragrant blossoms. 15^oF or below.

hieraciifolium (previously listed as E. asperum). Siberian wallflower. There is rampant confusion about the correct identity of this plant, and even the latest designation is dubious. However, it remains as beautiful as ever. It grows erect, with closely branched trunks, to 1-2’. The leaves are quite narrow and toothed. Masses of bright orange flowers grace the plant in spring and summer. Shearing off spent flower stems will promote further waves of bloom. 0^oF or below.

‘Jubilee’. The showiest of the matting wallflowers I have seen. The stems are short and somewhat woody, completely hidden by clustered narrow, dark green leaves. The 3/4" blossoms, carried in masses just above the foliage in early spring, are colored brilliant yellow. Probably 0^oF.

pulchellum. A broad (2' or more), dense mat with lush, very narrow leaves. It is one of the earliest perennials to bloom in spring, with 6-8" stems of delightfully fragrant orange flowers. 0^oF or below.