Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) and wild phlox (Phlox divaricata) are two common wildflowers found throughout much of North America. Though they have some similarities, they are distinct plant species with key differences. In this article, we’ll take a close look at dame’s rocket and wild phlox to understand what sets them apart.
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What is Dame’s Rocket?
Dame’s rocket, also called dame’s violet or summer lilac, is an herbaceous flowering plant in the mustard family Brassicaceae. It is native to Eurasia but was introduced to North America as an ornamental plant and has since become naturalized in many areas.
Some key facts about dame’s rocket:
– Scientific name: Hesperis matronalis
– Native range: Europe and Asia
– Flowers: Four-petaled, fragrant, white to purple flowers arranged in clusters. Blooms in spring/early summer.
– Leaves: Alternate, lance-shaped, toothed leaves 3-6 inches long.
– Height: Grows 2-4 feet tall.
– Habitat: Roadsides, fields, open woods, disturbed areas.
– Considered an invasive weed in some regions, spreading aggressively by seed.
What is Wild Phlox?
Wild phlox, also known as woodland phlox or blue phlox, refers to any of nearly a dozen species of phlox native to North America. The most widespread is Phlox divaricata, commonly called wild blue phlox.
Key facts about P. divaricata:
– Scientific name: Phlox divaricata
– Native range: Eastern and central North America
– Flowers: Fragrant, tubular, 5-lobed flowers about 1 inch wide, ranging from pale blue to lavender. Blooms April-May.
– Leaves: Opposite, oval, untoothed leaves up to 3 inches long.
– Height: Grows 8-18 inches tall.
– Habitat: Rich, moist forests, woodlands, thickets.
– Perennial wildflower valued for its early spring blooms and loose, spreading form.
Other woodland phlox species can have white, pink, or bluish flowers and a more compact, upright form. But they share the same tubular flower shape and opposite, untoothed oval leaves as P. divaricata.
Differences Between Dame’s Rocket and Wild Phlox
While dame’s rocket and wild phlox both produce clusters of showy spring blooms, they differ from each other in a number of ways.
Flowers
The most obvious difference between the two plants is their flowers. Dame’s rocket has four-petaled flowers reminiscent of mustard flowers, while phlox has 5-petaled tubular flowers similar to those of other plants in the Polemoniaceae family like Jacob’s ladder.
Dame’s rocket flowers have four petals arranged in a crisscross pattern forming a cross shape. The petals can be white, pink, purple, or varying combinations. In contrast, wild phlox has 5 united petals fused into a narrow tube with 5 spreading lobes on top. This gives the tubular, bell-like shape characteristic of phlox blossoms.
In addition to petal numbers, the flowers also bloom at slightly different times. Dame’s rocket typically blooms in May through early July, while wild blue phlox blooms a bit earlier from April to May.
Leaves
The leaves of these two plants also differ quite a bit in their arrangement and morphology. Dame’s rocket has alternate, stalked leaves with serrated edges. The lance- or oblong-shaped leaves are between 3-6 inches long with visible veins running through them.
Wild phlox, on the other hand, has oppositely arranged, unstalked leaves that lack serrated edges. The oval leaves are smaller, measuring only about 1-3 inches long. They have a smooth margin and lighter venation compared to dame’s rocket.
Growth Habit
Dame’s rocket grows upright, reaching 2-4 feet tall at maturity. Plants have multiple erect, leafy stems that give it a bushy appearance. The foliage and flowers extend all along the elongating stems as it bolts upward.
Wild phlox grows in a creeping or trailing form, with spreading stems that create mats or carpets of foliage only about 6-18 inches high. The growth habit is looser and more wandering compared to the upright form of dame’s rocket.
Habitat
These two species also differ in their habitat preferences and native ranges. Dame’s rocket thrives in open, disturbed sites like roadsides, field edges, meadows, and vacant lots. It prefers full sun and adapts readily to a variety of soils, allowing it to spread aggressively. This species is native to Europe and Asia.
Meanwhile, wild phlox favors shaded, wooded habitat like deciduous forests and woodland borders. It performs best in rich, moist, well-drained soils and humusy loam. Its native range centers around eastern North America.
Similarities Between Dame’s Rocket and Wild Phlox
Although they have a number of distinct differences, dame’s rocket and wild phlox do share some similarities that can cause them to be confused at first glance.
Some of the main similarities include:
– Perennial wildflowers with showy floral displays
– Contain 4-5 petaled flowers borne in clusters or panicles
– Have fragrant blossoms attractive to pollinators
– Foliage and flowers used in wildflower gardens and cut flower arrangements
– Bloom in spring to early summer
– Reproduce and spread primarily by seeds
– Classified broadly as herbaceous flowering plants
Both plants produce eye-catching sprays of blossoms on multiple lengthy stems. Their seed capsules also look nearly identical. When not in bloom, just looking at their foliage they can appear more similar than different at a quick glance.
These commonalities mean they sometimes occupy overlapping growing zones. Where both species are present, looking closely at the flowers and leaves rather than just the overall growth form is needed to reliably tell them apart.
How to Tell the Difference
Now that we’ve covered the main similarities and differences, here are some tips for telling dame’s rocket and wild phlox apart:
– Examine flower shape – Dame’s rocket has 4 triangular petals while phlox has united tubular petals.
– Check leaf arrangement – Dame’s rocket has alternate leaves and phlox has opposite leaves.
– Look for leaf edges – Dame’s has rocket toothed leaves. Phlox leaves have smooth margins.
– Note flowering time – Dame’s rocket peaks later in early summer, phlox earlier in spring.
– Compare heights – Dame’s rocket is the taller plant, phlox stays short.
– Identify habitat – Dame’s rocket frequents open sunny areas, phlox shaded forest understories.
– Remember native range – Dame’s rocket is Eurasian, phlox is North American.
– Consider growth form – Dame’s rocket is upright, phlox is low and spreading.
Using a combination of these visible differences – especially the flowers, leaves, bloom season, and growth habit – you can reliably distinguish these two spring wildflowers. Proper identification is key to understanding their respective ecologies and roles in our natural landscapes.
How to Grow Dame’s Rocket and Wild Phlox
If you’re interested in cultivating either of these plants in your own garden, here are some tips:
Growing Dame’s Rocket
– Dame’s rocket thrives in full sun to partial shade. Provide at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day.
– It tolerates a variety of soils but prefers moist, humus-rich loam. Amend soil with compost if needed.
– Start seeds outdoors in fall for blooms the following spring, or sow seeds in flats indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date.
– Space plants 1-2 feet apart. Dame’s rocket will self-seed readily once established. Deadhead spent blooms to control spread.
– Water weekly until established. Mature plants have moderate drought tolerance.
– Fertilize in spring with a balanced organic fertilizer. Avoid high nitrogen feeds that can cause floppy growth.
Growing Wild Phlox
– Provide rich, moist, well-drained soil amended with compost. Avoid soggy sites.
– Plant in partial to full shade. Aim for 2-6 hours of sun exposure especially in warmer zones.
– Start from nursery transplants or divide existing clumps in spring or fall. Seeds require cold stratification.
– Space plants 8-12 inches apart in loose clumps or drifts. Allow 2-3 feet between groups.
– Water regularly until established, then just occasionally during droughts if needed.
– Apply a low nitrogen, phosphorus-rich fertilizer yearly in spring to support flowering and growth.
– Remove spent flowers to encourage potential rebloom and prevent excessive self-seeding.
With the right growing conditions and care, both dame’s rocket and wild phlox can add beautiful spring blossoms and attractive foliage to gardens, meadows, or naturalized areas. Just be mindful of dame’s rocket’s tendency to spread aggressively.
Conclusion
While at first glance dame’s rocket and wild phlox appear quite similar as herbaceous perennials with spring blooms, a closer look reveals a number of distinct differences between these two wildflowers.
Factors like the flower shape and structure, leaf arrangement and form, height, habitat preferences, and native ranges set them apart as unrelated species. Dame’s rocket belongs to the mustard family Brassicaceae, while wild phlox is a member of the Polemoniaceae or phlox family.
Being able to identify the unique characteristics of each plant is necessary to understand their different ecologies and cultivation requirements in order to manage them properly in natural areas or gardens. So next time you come across a plant with showy spring blossoms, take a closer look at those all-important details to determine if it’s dame’s rocket or wild phlox gracing your landscape.