Also known as Wallflower · 151 gardener saves
Erysimum: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Erysimum, the genus most gardeners know as wallflower. We track 8 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 8 most-saved Erysimum varieties
Of 8 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedWinter Orchid Wallflower
Erysimum x allionii 'Winter Orchid'
#2 most savedSiberian Wallflower
Erysimum x allionii
#3 most savedApricot Twist Wallflower
Erysimum cheiri 'Apricot Twist'
Wallflower
Erysimum cheiri
Bowles's Mauve Wallflower
Erysimum cheiri 'Bowles'
Variegated Wallflower
Erysimum linifolium 'Variegatum'
Wallflower 'Walberton's Fragrant Sunshine'
Erysimum cheiri 'Walberton'
Bowles' Mauve Wallflower
Erysimum cheiri 'Bowles' Mauve'
How to grow Erysimum
What the Erysimum varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 8 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Erysimum year
- PruneMay100% of varieties
Shear back lightly after the first major flush to maintain shape
- DeadheadMarch–June75% of varieties
Remove spent flower spikes to encourage continuous blooming
- PropagateJune–September63% of varieties
Take softwood cuttings in early summer to replace aging plants
- PlantMarch, August and September50% of varieties
Plant transplants in spring or sow seeds in late summer/fall
- FertilizeMarch38% of varieties
Apply balanced liquid fertilizer twice during the main growing season
- Spring CleanupFebruary38% of varieties
Remove any winter-damaged foliage before new growth begins
Do
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Water deeply during dry spells without waterlogging 🌱
- Use organic compost to enrich soil
- Water moderately, allowing soil to dry between watering 🌱
- Prune dead or damaged stems promptly
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases ❌
- Don’t let soil stay soggy
- Avoid excessive fertilization which can cause legginess
What goes wrong with Erysimum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Cabbage Worms | Chewed leaves and frass | Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as an organic control |
| Caterpillars | Chewed leaves and stems | Handpick or apply Bacillus thuringiensis |
| Cabbage Looper | Chewed leaves and holes | Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or organic insecticide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply neem oil |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Ensure proper drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting despite watering | Improve drainage and reduce watering frequency |
Making more Erysimum
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for germination, approximately 2 weeks.
- Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart once established.
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep in shaded area for 6 weeks until roots develop.
Erysimum questions
How many types of Erysimum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 8 distinct Erysimum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 151 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Erysimum grow in?
Across its varieties, Erysimum covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Erysimum bloom?
Most Erysimum varieties bloom in early spring, spring to fall, spring to summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Erysimum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Erysimum shows up in
Design with Erysimum in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
