1 named cultivar

‘Variegatum’Variegated Wallflower

perennial

Alpine Wallflower

The Story

Plant Bio

Erysimum linifolium, alpine wallflower, is a low multi-stemmed perennial from northern Portugal and central Spain, six to eighteen inches high and spreading to a foot. Narrow lance-shaped to linear green leaves up to three inches long clothe prostrate to ascending stems, and small four-petalled mauve to purple flowers open through spring and summer.

It flowers for months rather than weeks, which is unusual in the genus, and NCSU rates it resistant to deer, rabbits, drought and dry soil at once. That combination makes it a rock-wall and gravel plant rather than a border one, and it is short-lived enough that most gardeners keep it going from cuttings rather than expecting old plants to persist.

Uses & Benefits:

Mauve to purple flowers over narrow grey-green foliage, from spring right through summer.

Takes drought, dry soil, deer and rabbits, and thrives in the poor gritty ground most plants refuse.

NCSU records the flowers attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

18 inches

Width

9 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Portugal and Spain

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun or light shade in gritty soil.
Give it sharp drainage; wet winter soil kills it.
Water sparingly once established.
Do not feed; lean soil keeps it compact.
Trim lightly after the main flush.
Take cuttings every couple of years as insurance.

Pro Tip

It is short-lived even when happy, so take a few cuttings every second summer rather than waiting for the plant to fail.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it sharp drainage 🌱
Plant in full sun ☀️
Trim lightly after flowering ✂️
Take cuttings as insurance 🌿

Don't

Feed or enrich the soil ❌
Plant in heavy wet ground ❌
Cut back hard into old wood ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Cuttings
Trim

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock garden and dry wallGravel and slope plantingContainers and hanging baskets

Companion Plants

Aubrieta DianthusThyme SedumBlue Fescue

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Alpine Wallflower questions

What zones can Alpine Wallflower grow in?

Alpine Wallflower is hardy in USDA Zones 6–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Alpine Wallflower deer resistant?

Yes — Alpine Wallflower is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Alpine Wallflower bloom?

Alpine Wallflower typically blooms in spring to summer through mid-summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Alpine Wallflower need full sun?

Alpine Wallflower does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Alpine Wallflower drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Alpine Wallflower handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.