Vulcan Wallflowers

Erysimum cheiri Vulcan (sometimes Cheiranthus Vulcan) is one of those rare plants that, when planted in groups, provide that splash of sheer drama that is so rarely found in gardens. Especially at a time when spring bulbs begin to fade. Carrying a beautiful scent, wallflowers are loved by flower arrangers and pollinating insects alike making them a must for any gardener. If the colour, the deepest, richest, most velvety dark crimson does not fit your garden's colour palette, then have a look at the rest of our range of ready to plant wallflower seedlings.

Wallflowers complement tulips wonderfully well and, joyously, they can be planted at the same time. The deep crimson of Vulcan goes with pretty much any of the later flowering tulips, so why not go wild and pick one from our range to set your garden alight next spring.?

Like all varieties of Erysimum cheiri, Vulcan is actually a short-lived perennial. However, we strongly recommend strongly that you grow it as a biennial (planted this year to flower next).

Summary

Type: Hardy Biennial
Colour: Deep Crimson
Scented: Strong
Height: 35-45 cms
Delivery/Planting: October - November
Flowering: March - July
Plant Spacing: 30 cms

Wallflower Trivia

Did you know that the "old" name for wallflowers - Chieranthus - is probably derived from the ancient Greek for Hand (chiero) and flower (anthus). Almost certainly because it was frequently carried as a nosegay to counter the unpleasant smells of poor sanitation in days of yore...

Plant Vulcan Wallflowers in early winter in well-drained soil in full sun. As wallflowers belong to the cabbage (Brassica) family they prefer alkaline soil. So if the planting area is acidic then it is a good idea to add a bit of horticultural lime in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Wallflowers are greedy plants and so will appreciate the addition of well-rotted garden compost before planting. They are extremely hardy and will overwinter happily in their final flowering positions. If you prefer, you can also pot them up - we suggest 9cm pots - overwintered outdoors and then planted into containers in early spring. Always water well after planting and do not let them dry out (especially important in containers).

The main requirements are that your plants have enough light and good drainage - they are called Wallflowers because they grow very happily in walls or in the limey grit at the foot of an old wall where the pointing and mortar have disintegrated.

They grow away fast as the days begin to lengthen in January / February and then will flower continuously from March well into summer provided they are dead-headed. So moisture during dry spells is important as is full sun because they Hate shade. Try to position them where there be direct sun for at least 6 hours a day in summer.

As you are buying seedlings, you can plant your wallflowers into their final flowering positions immediately. Space your plants about 30 cms apart and (in a bed) plant them in drifts. The show is far more impressive when they are massed.

NB - Plant your tulips deep if you are not going to lift them after flowering. We recommend covering them with 10 cms (4") of soil. This has two benefits. First, you can plant wallflowers over the top of them next year without fear of digging them up/damaging them. Second, deep planting helps tulips concentrate on building up their strength for flowering the following season.

Depending on location, soil and variety, wallflowers may need support. We suggest you do this next year as in sheltered spots it should not be necessary at all.

complement A good specimen can produce a couple of dozen flower heads in a season.

To maintain flower quality and size, you can use a high potash and phosphate fertiliser every fortnight throughout summer. Home-made comfrey tea is perfect or one of the specialised tomato fertilisers will also do very well.

Please do not be tempted to keep these wallflowers for an extra year. While it is possible to do so, the older they get, the greater the risk of introducing club-root. They also get leggy and become a bit of an eyesore by their second spring. So dig them up and put them on the compost at the end of July or the beginning of August.

Read our full terms and conditions here.

Delivery: The basic delivery charge for orders of bareroot plants is £6.50 + vat, which increases to £12.55 + vat if you add any pot-grown plants, standard trees or fruit trees to the order.
Because couriers sometimes experience delays, we schedule delivery by week, not by day. Therefore, please plan your planting day for the weekend at the end of the delivery week or for the week following delivery, at the earliest.
We will email you the day before your plants are due to arrive.

*Surcharges to the Highlands and Islands still apply.

Payment: We do not charge your card until we begin to prepare your order for packing.

Guarantee: If any plants die within a year, we will replace them. We only ask that you follow our planting & growing instructions and sent us clear photographs of the dead plants in situ, so we can help to make sure that the replacement plants succeed. You only pay for the delivery of the replacements.

Please note that our guarantee is void if there is a hosepipe ban in your area: your newly planted hedging must be watered in dry weather while it is establishing. The best way to water is very thoroughly every few days: at least once a week if there is no heavy rain.

Our nursery has been supplying container grown and bareroot hedging plants to gardeners, farmers and town planners since 1949. Our website started in 2003, so we do understand the concerns that you may have about buying hedging plants online. If any of your plants are damaged when they arrive or if you are otherwise not satisfied with your order after you inspect it, please repackage it and contact us. We will give you a refund or send replacements and send a courier to come and collect the unwanted plants.

Misc	Wildlife Value
Area	Coastal Areas, Exposed Windy Areas, Frost Pockets, Scotland & The North
Soil	Alkaline/Chalky, Poor/Dry
Colour	Red/Crimson
Type	Seedling
Also Good	Fragrant, Repeat Flowering
Flowering	Mar, Apr, May, Jun

	NUMBER OF PACKS
SIZES	1	2-4	5+
5 Maxiplug Pack	Available for delivery in October/November £4.49	Available for delivery in October/November £3.79	Available for delivery in October/November £3.49

Vulcan Wallflower Seedlings

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Vulcan Wallflowers

Summary

Wallflower Trivia