Appearance

Growth form

An annual or biennial herb, usually about 2 ft (50–60 cm) tall.

Leaves

Lower leaves are deeply divided like a feather; upper leaves are undivided and clasp the stem.

Flowers

Lavender, sometimes white, four-petaled flowers with fine veins, each petal about ½–¾ in (1–2 cm) long, in clusters at the stem tips.

Fruit

Long, slender pods split open when ripe and fling out many dark brown seeds.

Look-alikes

Images coming soon

Dame's rocketHesperis matronalis

Dame's rocket is taller (often 3 ft (1 m) or more), has undivided, lance-shaped, toothed leaves, and its scent gets stronger toward evening. Chinese violet cress has deeply divided lower leaves.

Why they get mixed up · Both are lavender, four-petaled mustards that escape from gardens, and dame's rocket grows wild across much of the US.

Garden phloxPhlox paniculata

Phlox flowers have five petals and the leaves grow in opposite pairs. Chinese violet cress has four petals and alternate leaves.

Why they get mixed up · Both carry clusters of pinkish-purple flowers at the stem tips.

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• Roadsides
• Disturbed ground

Range

Native to China. Introduced in Japan and the US state of Virginia.

Preferred conditions

Grows in many habitats, including disturbed ground, and tolerates partial shade.

Growing it

Care

Hardy in USDA zones 7–10. It reseeds freely and tends to come back year after year once established.