Damask-violet (Hesperis matronalis, Sp. Pl.: 663 (1753))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 663 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hesperis

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. France to Slovakia and Caucasus

Description

Damask-violet, scientifically known as Hesperis matronalis, is a captivating flowering plant cherished for its charming aesthetic and delightful fragrance. Belonging to the Brassicaceae family, this botanical gem has enchanted gardeners and nature enthusiasts since its first classification documented in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus.

Native to a broad geographical range that extends from Southern France to Slovakia and the Caucasus region, Damask-violet thrives in a variety of habitats. This geographical versatility highlights its adaptability to different climatic and soil conditions, making it a favoured plant in diverse gardens.

The plant displays erect stems adorned with lanceolate leaves. The striking display of its flowers typically emerges in clusters, boasting shades of violet, white, and sometimes pink, which add a touch of elegance and visual appeal to any garden setting. Apart from its aesthetic value, the Damask-violet is celebrated for its sweet, pleasant fragrance that becomes more pronounced in the evening, attracting nocturnal pollinators like moths.

Hesperis matronalis is not only valued for its beauty and fragrance but also for its ease of cultivation. It prefers well-drained soil and can flourish in both full sun and partial shade. This biennial or short-lived perennial flower is often used in borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower gardens, providing a lush, naturalistic appeal.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a novice, adding Damask-violet to your floral collection promises to infuse your garden with natural charm and a delightful scent, evoking the timeless allure of its historical and geographical roots.

Common Names

Dan: aftenstjerne, hvid julerose, jomfru i det grønne, storblomstret julerose, vellugtende aftenstjerne
Eng: damask-violet, dame’s rocket, dame’s-violet, dames rocket, dames violet, mother-of-the-evening, sweet rocket, dame’s violet
Nld: damastbloem
Deu: garten-nachtviole, gewöhnliche nachtviole, nachtviole
Swe: julros, jungfrun i det gröna, orientalisk julros, hesperis, åkerriddarsporre, aftonviol, trädgårdsnattviol
Lit: kvapioji vakarutė
Pol: wieczornik damski
Fra: arragone, julienne des dames
Est: harilik öölill
Por: juliana
Spa: matronal
Lav: smaržīg
Sme: hesperis
Cym: croes yr hwyr, dis, disawr
En: Damask-violet, Dame’s rocket, Dame’s-violet, Sweet rocket, Dames rocket, Mother-of-the-Evening, Dame rocket, Dames violet, Dame’s Violet, Dammask Violet, Garden Rocket
Ar: بنفسج السيدة
Az: Gecə bənövşəsi gecəgülü
Bg: Вечерница
Ca: Juliana vera
Zh: 欧亚香花芥
Cs: Večernice vonná
Da: Aftenstjerne, Hvid julerose, Jomfru i det grønne, Storblomstret julerose, Vellugtende aftenstjerne
Nl: Damastbloem, Damasbloem
Et: Harilik öölill
Fi: Tarhaillakko
Fr: Arragone, Julienne des dames
De: Nachtviole, Gewöhnliche Nachtviole, Garten-Nachtviole, Frauenviole, Matronenblume
Hu: Hölgyestike
Is: Næturfjóla
It: Esperide, Violaciocca antoniana
Lv: Smaržīg
Lt: Vakarutė, Kvapioji vakarutė
Se: Hesperis
No: Dagfiol
Fa: هسپریس بانوان
Pl: Wieczornik damski
Pt: Juliana
Ru: Nocnaâ fialka
Sk: Večernica voňavá
Es: Matronal, Juliana
Sv: Hesperis, Julros, Jungfrun i det gröna, Orientalisk julros, Åkerriddarsporre, Aftonviol, Trädgårdsnattviol
Cy: Croes yr hwyr, Dis, Disawr

Synonyms

• Hesperis matronalis var. hortensis (DC.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Altay (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kirgizstan (introduced)
• Kuril Is. (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Aug 5, 2018 by Darcy Winds (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2018 by Rohweder Karsten (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2018 by nick (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2017 by Maximilien Perrin (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2022 by Kraken Pan (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2018 by Rohweder Karsten (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 10, 2021 by Reynold Chollet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2021 by soffie (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2022 by Kraken Pan (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 13, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Fabienne PAIRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2019 by Pour Demos (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 23, 2021 by Vanessa Botton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2020 by mohammad fazel dehkordi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2019 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by Alexander Baransky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2022 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2021 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3042291)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:285087-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hesperis matronalis L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Bunch

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 6