The Siberian Wallflower’s beautiful orange, nectar-rich flowers are a vital spring source of food for butterflies and bees. It is a compact plant that grows just 10-18″ tall, making it ideal for a massed planting or floral border where it won’t be overshadowed by larger plants. Combine it with other brightly colored flowers in blue, red, violet, and even pink! The Siberian Wallflower thrives in various soil types, from loam to sandy to clay, it is extremely versatile and easy to care for. In hot, dry areas, the plant enjoys full sun, although it also appreciates afternoon shade. Enjoy the aromatic blossoms in bouquets, but leave some to develop and create seedpods. The seeds will self-sow to form a native planting that will proliferate and spread year after year, signaling spring for you (and the pollinators).
Growing The Siberian Wallflower
The Siberian Wallflowers bloom almost all year and have lovely four-petaled flowers in colors including yellow, blue, red, orange, and purple. The majority of wallflower cultivars are shrubs, however, several ground-cover forms exist. Wallflower seeds should be planted in the spring or fall.
Here are some brief facts about the popular aesthetic plant:
- Latin name: Cheiranthus allionii
- Other names: Siberian Wallflower
- Native to: Europe
- Invasiveness: No
- Tenderness: Biennial
- Sun: Full Shade / partial sun
- Water: Average
- Soil: Well-Drained Soil
- Hardiness zone: Zones 3 through 8
- When to plant: Fall
- Spacing: 12-15″
- Plant height: 10-18″
- Bloom period: Late Spring, Early Summer
- Time to maturity: 2 years
- Container friendly: Yes
- Fertilizer: 10-10-10
- Toxicity: Toxic to humans and animals
- Deer resistant: Yes
- Pest resistant: No
Wallflowers benefit from regular trimming. They should be pruned once they have done flowering or in early spring. Prune them to a couple of inches above the earth, and they will repay you with lush new growth once the weather warms up again. Wallflowers (Erysimum) are members of the Brassicaceae family, which includes popular green leafy vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, and kale. They are often low-maintenance, simple-to-grow herbaceous perennials, annuals, or biennials.
Water
Water seedlings on a regular basis until they are established; older plants may take some dryness but prefer irrigation on occasion. The disease is caused by excessive moisture or damp soil. Keep the area weeded to limit competition and promote healthy development.
Sunlight
While they can withstand full sun, they prefer partial shade. Gardeners in northern regions should plant in areas that get direct sunlight, whilst gardeners in southern climates should plant in areas that receive some shade to protect the wallflower from the harsh southern sun.
Soil
Siberian Wallflowers thrive in well-drained, dry to medium soils. Planting wallflowers in very damp soil will lead them to drown and die rapidly.
Fertilizing
Wallflowers do not need much fertilizer to grow. For the most remarkable results, include compost into the soil before planting and use an all-purpose fertilizer in the early spring and mid-summer.
Invasiveness
It is not obtrusive. Siberian Wallflowers are not really invasive, especially if they are grown in a container where you can monitor them. Once established in the garden, the Siberian Wallflower spreads swiftly. Humidity is bad for Siberian Wallflowers, and maintaining them in a consistently moist environment can cause their roots to decay and their leaves to yellow.
Growing The Siberian Wallflower In Containers
Wallflowers are great container plants since they are low-maintenance and do not require a lot of water. Growing the Siberian Wallflower in pots is ideal for gardeners in colder climates since they can be readily moved indoors for the winter. As these plants can not accept their roots sitting in the wet soil, make sure your container has proper drainage.
Care & Tips
Plant Siberian Wallflower seeds in the fall for spring germination. Because this seed requires sunshine to grow, put it on the soil’s surface and softly crush it. For spring planting, combine the seed with damp sand and chill it for 30 days before spreading directly on the soil surface. This seed may also be started inside, and planted on a flat surface; maintain the soil mildly wet and at 65-70 degrees until sprouting, which should take around 10-15 days. After the final frost in the spring, transplant the seedlings.
Common Problems
Wallflowers, like their vegetable counterparts, are subject to a variety of common garden pests as members of the Brassicaceae family. Flea bugs, aphids, and cabbage worms are examples. However, wallflowers are more adapted to drier growth conditions than their Brassicaceae cousins, which helps to avoid insect infestations accidentally. Another strategy to avoid infestations and illnesses in wallflowers is to avoid planting them in garden beds or containers that have recently cultivated other Brassicaceae species, as pathogens from the preceding plant may stay in the soil.
Propagating The Siberian Wallflower
Cuttings can be used to grow wallflowers. To complete: Late in the spring, take cuttings and make sure each one has at least 1 leaf node. Only 3 to 4 leaves remain after removing all flowers and leaf buds from the cutting. Dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone before planting them in soil or compost for the greatest results. The seeds will self-sow to form a native planting that will proliferate and spread year after year, signaling spring for you.
Wildlife Attracted By The Siberian Wallflower
The Siberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus allionii), which blooms in late spring, illuminates gardens with clusters of fragrant, brilliant orange blossoms that attract butterflies, including Monarch butterflies, and bees.
The History Of The Siberian Wallflower
The origin of the old garden wallflower is unknown since it has been cultivated for so long. While president, Thomas Jefferson sent a “bag of Wallflowers” to his daughter Martha, and in 1807, he bought wallflower seeds from Philadelphia nurseryman Bernard McMahon. The Cheiranthus allionii plant is used for several herbal and medicinal purposes. Botanists believe the Siberian Wallflower descends from the Erysimum family of native American wallflowers, rather than the European variety. Cheiranthus allionii was given the name “Siberian” because of its exceptional cold resistance. It thrives in the moist, chilly conditions of coastal locations or higher altitudes. The plant’s popular name derives from its preference for nooks and crevices in walls or cliffs.
Uses For The Siberian Wallflower
The medicine is made from the parts that grow above ground. Despite safety concerns, the wallflower can treat heart diseases, constipation, liver illness, and gallbladder disease. It is also used by women to start their periods. Note that wallflowers can be harmful in large quantities. The wallflower also represents disillusionment in love in flower language.
Wallflowers are a beautiful, aromatic, and easy-to-grow addition to any rock, border, or pot garden. These orange blossoms are aromatic and will make a bold impression. This resilient plant thrives in coastal places as well as high elevations, thriving in moist, chilly conditions. They get their name from the fact that they grow through silty gaps in brick or cement walls, indicating that they are tenacious, resilient blossoms.
