Wildflower - Dame's Rocket

I started to notice patches of Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) springing up in the neighborhood. Dame's Rocket can form large patches of pale lavender, deep purple and white blossoms that look pretty along a roadside. This invasive wildflower that is native to Eurasia can quickly force out other plants. This patch of Dame's Rocket has taken over my stockpile of topsoil behind our barn.



A close-up view of the flowers.



It is considered an invasive species in some areas; four U.S. states have set the following legal status for it:

• Colorado: noxious weed (on B-list), with plans for eradication or management varying by area and year
• Connecticut: invasive and banned, e.g. illegal to move, sell, purchase, transplant, cultivate, or distribute
• Massachusetts: prohibited
• Wisconsin: Restricted - an invasive species that is already established in the state and cause or have the potential to cause significant environmental or economic harm or harm to human health.

Individual plants can be pulled by hand if soil is moist, but the entire root system must be removed or re-sprouting may occur. Systemic herbicides, such as Roundup® (Glyphosate), can be used to kill the entire plant including the roots.