Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’

Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’

A much-loved perennial wallflower that produces elegant mauve flower spikes for an incredibly long season.

Slender stems carry clusters of soft mauve-purple flowers above narrow grey-green foliage, creating a relaxed cottage garden look. One of its greatest strengths is its flowering period, often blooming continuously from early spring right through to autumn. The nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators, making it a valuable plant for wildlife-friendly gardens.

Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, particularly in gravel gardens, raised beds or sunny borders. It forms a bushy, slightly woody mound that works beautifully in Mediterranean-style planting schemes alongside drought-tolerant perennials. While technically a short-lived perennial, it often performs well for several years with light pruning after flowering.

Specifications

• Plant type: Short-lived perennial / sub-shrub

• Flower colour: Mauve-purple

• Flowering period: March to October

• Height: approx. 60–75 cm

• Spread: approx. 50–60 cm

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Free-draining soil, tolerates poorer soils

• Hardiness: Hardy in most UK gardens with good drainage

• Pollinator friendly: Excellent for bees

Note for Isle of Wight planting
Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ is particularly well suited to the Isle of Wight’s mild, coastal climate and free-draining soils. In sheltered island gardens it can flower for much of the year and cope well with dry conditions.

Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range

• Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’, soft blue flowers that create a relaxed, pollinator-friendly planting combination

• Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’, deeper purple spikes that add contrast and extend the flowering season

• Verbena bonariensis, tall airy stems that bring height and movement above the planting

• Erigeron ‘Lavender Lady’, delicate daisies that soften the edges of borders and containers

🌟 The Green Standard Tip
Lightly trim the plant after its main flush of flowers to keep it bushy and encourage fresh blooms. Replacing plants every few years keeps displays looking their best.