Wallflower Ruby Gem
Wallflower 'Ruby Gem' Seeds
'Ruby Gem' produces dense flower spikes in deep, moody shades that range from a glowing ruby-red to a velvety crimson. The petals have a unique satin-like texture that seems to absorb the light, giving the flower heads a rich, heavy aesthetic that is unrivalled in the spring border.
One of its most notable features is its incredible scent; on sunny spring days, it releases a warm, spicy clove fragrance that wafts through the garden. These plants are ideal for adding depth and drama to spring bedding displays and are traditionally paired with cool-toned carpets to create a classic, time-honoured contrast.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Erysimum cheiri 'Ruby Gem' is a Hardy Biennial (H5). It follows a two-year cycle: you sow the seeds in summer, the plant builds a strong green rosette over the autumn and winter, and then bursts into fragrant bloom early the following spring.
Few plants signal the arrival of spring quite like wallflowers. They are among the first substantial nectar sources of the year, blooming from March through May. 'Ruby Gem' is a heritage variety particularly prized for its velvety texture and its ability to withstand typical British frosts with ease.
Wildlife Champion: Wallflowers are a critical resource for pollinators. They are officially listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, acting as a vital early-season nectar source for queen bumblebees as they emerge from hibernation.
🌱 Growing Guide
Wallflowers are robust and reliable, provided they are not grown in acidic or boggy conditions.
How to Sow:
Sow outdoors in a nursery bed or in pots from May to July. Sow the seeds 5mm deep; they typically take 14–21 days to germinate. Keep the soil moist but never waterlogged.
Where to Plant:
Plant out into their final flowering positions in September or October. They demand a spot in full sun and thrive best in slightly alkaline soil (lime or chalk). If your soil is heavy clay, add grit to improve drainage, as they will rot in soggy winter ground.
Ongoing Care:
The "Pinching" Tip: To create a bushier plant with significantly more flower spikes, "pinch" the plants when they are 10–15cm tall by nipping off the top growing tip. This forces the plant to branch out, resulting in a more spectacular display come spring.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Botanical Name | Erysimum cheiri 'Ruby Gem' |
| Common Name | Heritage Wallflower |
| Plant Type | Hardy Biennial |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy through most of the UK) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | 40cm - 45cm |
| Spread | 30cm |
| Spacing | Plant 30cm apart |
| Flowering Period | March to May |
| Perfect For | 🐝 Queen Bumblebees 👃 Spicy Clove Scent 🌷 Spring Bedding ✂️ Cut Flowers |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 250 seeds |
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations
Wallflowers are the essential backbone of the early spring garden. Pair them with these fellow spring-bloomers for the most iconic cottage garden looks :
- ❄️ Forget-me-not 'White': The snowy white carpet of Forget-me-nots acts as a luminous spotlight, making the deep ruby-red petals of the Wallflowers glow in the low spring light.
- 🦐 Cerinthe (Honeywort) : If you sow Cerinthe in autumn, it will flower alongside your wallflowers. The silver-blue foliage and purple bells of Cerinthe create a moody, sophisticated "jewel box" display when mixed with 'Ruby Gem'.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in summer for flowers from March to May the following year.
🏆 RHS Plants for Pollinators
Wallflower 'Ruby Gem' is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list. It is widely recognized as one of the single most important early-spring nectar sources for queen bumblebees as they begin foraging after winter hibernation.[18]
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Description
Wallflower 'Ruby Gem' Seeds
'Ruby Gem' produces dense flower spikes in deep, moody shades that range from a glowing ruby-red to a velvety crimson. The petals have a unique satin-like texture that seems to absorb the light, giving the flower heads a rich, heavy aesthetic that is unrivalled in the spring border.
One of its most notable features is its incredible scent; on sunny spring days, it releases a warm, spicy clove fragrance that wafts through the garden. These plants are ideal for adding depth and drama to spring bedding displays and are traditionally paired with cool-toned carpets to create a classic, time-honoured contrast.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Erysimum cheiri 'Ruby Gem' is a Hardy Biennial (H5). It follows a two-year cycle: you sow the seeds in summer, the plant builds a strong green rosette over the autumn and winter, and then bursts into fragrant bloom early the following spring.
Few plants signal the arrival of spring quite like wallflowers. They are among the first substantial nectar sources of the year, blooming from March through May. 'Ruby Gem' is a heritage variety particularly prized for its velvety texture and its ability to withstand typical British frosts with ease.
Wildlife Champion: Wallflowers are a critical resource for pollinators. They are officially listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, acting as a vital early-season nectar source for queen bumblebees as they emerge from hibernation.
🌱 Growing Guide
Wallflowers are robust and reliable, provided they are not grown in acidic or boggy conditions.
How to Sow:
Sow outdoors in a nursery bed or in pots from May to July. Sow the seeds 5mm deep; they typically take 14–21 days to germinate. Keep the soil moist but never waterlogged.
Where to Plant:
Plant out into their final flowering positions in September or October. They demand a spot in full sun and thrive best in slightly alkaline soil (lime or chalk). If your soil is heavy clay, add grit to improve drainage, as they will rot in soggy winter ground.
Ongoing Care:
The "Pinching" Tip: To create a bushier plant with significantly more flower spikes, "pinch" the plants when they are 10–15cm tall by nipping off the top growing tip. This forces the plant to branch out, resulting in a more spectacular display come spring.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Botanical Name | Erysimum cheiri 'Ruby Gem' |
| Common Name | Heritage Wallflower |
| Plant Type | Hardy Biennial |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy through most of the UK) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | 40cm - 45cm |
| Spread | 30cm |
| Spacing | Plant 30cm apart |
| Flowering Period | March to May |
| Perfect For | 🐝 Queen Bumblebees 👃 Spicy Clove Scent 🌷 Spring Bedding ✂️ Cut Flowers |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 250 seeds |
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations
Wallflowers are the essential backbone of the early spring garden. Pair them with these fellow spring-bloomers for the most iconic cottage garden looks :
- ❄️ Forget-me-not 'White': The snowy white carpet of Forget-me-nots acts as a luminous spotlight, making the deep ruby-red petals of the Wallflowers glow in the low spring light.
- 🦐 Cerinthe (Honeywort) : If you sow Cerinthe in autumn, it will flower alongside your wallflowers. The silver-blue foliage and purple bells of Cerinthe create a moody, sophisticated "jewel box" display when mixed with 'Ruby Gem'.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow in summer for flowers from March to May the following year.
🏆 RHS Plants for Pollinators
Wallflower 'Ruby Gem' is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list. It is widely recognized as one of the single most important early-spring nectar sources for queen bumblebees as they begin foraging after winter hibernation.[18]
