Vespers (hesperis) is a genus of biennials and perennials belonging to the Cabbage family. The distribution range of these herbaceous plants is Mediterranean, Europe, Central Asia.
Popular decorative flowers have a pleasant aroma and several names: night violet, evening matron.
Description of Night Violet
The plant is similar to a phlox with a branched straight stem of about 80 cm. The leaves are silky-fleecy, whole or cirrus.
The flowers are small simple or double, collected in panicle inflorescences of lilac, white, and purple hues, blooming in late May for the whole summer. Then the fruit is formed in the form of a pod with brown seeds, which retain viability for two years.
Views of the evening party
| View | Description | Flowers |
| Purple | Prefers loose soil. Sow directly into the soil. | Violet 2 cm, persistent aroma. |
| Romance | Biennial. | White, exudes a pleasant smell at night. |
| Inspiration | Branched, blooming the next year after planting seeds. It grows about 90 cm. Frost-resistant. | Lilac, snow-white, lilac. |
| Raspberry | Propagate by self-sowing. | Cherry. In the dark, exhale fragrance. |
| Night beauty | The most fragrant variety. 50-70 cm. Winter-hardy, resistant to disease. Perhaps balcony growing. | Appear in the second year. Delicate pink and purple. |
| Sad | Height is not more than 50 cm. Loves light, moisture, | Creamy green with red streaks. Petals elongated with a blunt end, 3 cm long. |
Planting and propagation of night violets or evening dresses
The party is propagated by seed or by dividing the bush:
- In early June, seeds are sown.
- In the first year, a rosette of leaves appears, in the second, a stem grows.
- At the end of May, flowering begins.
It is possible to grow by sowing in the winter (autumn in a permanent place) or seedlings.
Spend in early March:
- A container with planted seeds is covered with a film.
- When sprouts appear, they are removed.
- Water, add soil to the roots.
- Dive after the appearance of 3 sheets.
- A two-week hardening is carried out, seated through 25 cm from each other upon the onset of heat.
Such plants will bloom later than those planted in June.
Bushes with double flowers are divided for propagation:
- Dig up in late summer and early fall.
- Separated with a knife, dried.
- Planted in a well watered place.
Caring for a Night Violet or Vespers Matrona
| Factor | Conditions |
| Location / Lighting | Well lit or partial shade. Do not plant in the lowlands. |
| The soil | Alkaline, neutral. Peatlands are not acceptable. Loosen after each watering, weed. |
| Watering | In the morning, every 7 days. Do not allow stagnation of moisture. |
| Top dressing | Complex mineral fertilizers before flowering. Then every month wood ash. |
Hesperis is frost-resistant up to -20 ° C, with more severe winters, covered with non-woven material.
Diseases and pests of hesperis
The evening party is disease resistant. Prevention methods will help against pests: pollination with wood ash and tobacco dust, mixed in equal proportions.
Hesperis in the landscape
Night violets are located next to gazebos, verandas, benches because of its pleasant aroma.
