Dame's Rocket

Dame’s rocket, also known as Dame’s Violet, is sold occasionally by local nurseries, and is found in “wildflower” seed mixes. This persistent plant has escaped cultivation and become a problem throughout Colorado, including the Boulder foothills area and the Roaring Fork Valley of western Colorado. This native of Europe may be from 1½ to four feet tall, with flowers ranging in color from pink to purple. A member of the Mustard family, Dame’s rocket flowers from April through July. Dame’s rocket tends to invade riparian and wetland habitat. There are many alternatives to planting Dame’s rocket, including Blue Columbine(Aquilegia caerulea) and Lavender Native Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosamentaefolia).