Dame's Rocket / Damask Violet (Hesperis matronalis) seeds

Dame's rocket is a classic fragrant cottage garden plant which releases its violet fragrance only in the evening hours. As a winter hardy biennial or perennial plant, it makes a good cut flower and requires little effort. It is also an important food source for various types of butterflies. It has now also spread in large parts of the world, where it grows wild on the roadsides and on empty lots as well as on woodland meadows.

The leaves have a spicy and tangy taste, reminiscent of cress or wild cabbage, they should be harvested and eaten before the plant starts to flower. A drying oil, which can be used as a substitute for linseed oil, is produced from the very oily seeds. The contained essential oils are mainly relevant for the production of cosmetics.