WALL FLOWER

The genus Wall flower or Cheiranthus flower or Erysimum, is a wildflower from cold climates, and it is naturally a biennial. Wall flowers belong to the Mustard family, Cruciferae.

In the world there are 375 genera and 3200 species. About 55 genera are found in North America. Wallflower's delightful fragrance and beauty makes wallflower a great addition to any flower arrangement. Wall flowers come in the category of Wild flowers.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Brassicales

Family

Brassicaceae

Genus

Erysimum

Wall flowers are perennials and natives of Southern Europe. Wall flowers are sometimes placed in genus Erysimum. Wall flowers are often seen on old walls or cliffs.

Wall flowers are small 2-2 inch flowers. Wall flowers are clustered flowerheads of small simple flowers. Wall flowers are fragrant flowers of all colors especially yellow and orange. Each wall flower consists of 4 petals, and 4 sepals. Petals are arranged like X or H. There are 6 stamens in the flower, 4 tall and 2 short. The Pistil is at the center of the flower.

Facts About Wall flowers

• Wallflowers plants have vertical, branching stems, 1/2 to 3 feet high.
• Wallflowers have two-year life cycle.
• Wallflowers grow only leaves in the first season from seed. Then in second season, blooms, seeds and dies with first frost.
• Butterflies are very fond of these wildflowers.
• Wallflowers, are easy to grow and can be transplanted quite well.
• Wallflowers bear spikes of beautiful and often fragrant flowers in the spring.
• Wall flowers grow in warmer places, and grows as a perennial, returning year after year.
• Though Wall flowers are perennials, they are often treated as biennials.

Varieties of Wall Flowers

• English Wall Flower:- The English Wallflower Cheiranthus kewensis, may be primrose, dark red, yellow, orange or purplish. The hybrid, Cheiranthus kewensis, has brownish-orange flowers that turn purplish. In Europe the English Wallflowers are a common sight in the spring flowerbeds.
• The Siberian Wallflower:- Cheiranthus Allionii, may be orange or yellow and are produced abundantly in April and May. Botanists consider Cheiranthus Allionii, a product of Erysimum asperum, a native American species, which is hardier than the English variety.
• The Alpine Wall flowers:- The Alpine Wall flowers may be yellow, orange-yellow, or purplish. Another Alpine variety, Cheiranthus linifolius, bears tiny, lilac-mauve flowers used in the rock garden. This plant is correctly named Erysimum linifolium.

Growing Wall flowers

• Sow the seeds thinly and evenly, 1/4 of an inch deep.
• Do not cover the seeds with the soil.
• Germination takes place in 14-28 days.
• See that the ground is free from weeds.
• 2-3 inch seedlings should be transplanted 9 inches apart in the beds.
• Water the seedlings.
• Apply compost or other decayed organic material a few inches beneath the surface of the soil.

Caring Wall flowers

• Wall flowers need full sun.
• Required soil should be well drained with average moisture.
• See that the soil is not rich with nitrogen, but with firm soil. Since loose soil produces loose, straggly plants.
• Do not over water the seedlings.