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How to control Dame's Rocket? List it on MN DNR & MN DOAg Invasive Lists. #871753

Asked June 05, 2024, 3:28 PM EDT

I am volunteering with my church maintaining some native areas. I have a large infestation of Dame's Rocket - Hesperis matronalis I am trying to control without using herbicides. Dame's Rocket is considered a biennial or short lived perennial. I removed all the flowers from plants last year (2023) but the population has increased. I suspect, but have no direct evidence, that perhaps our wimpy winter of 2023-2024 allowed the plants to survive. I am diligently removing the flowers as much as possible this year (2024) in hopes of reducing the population next year. I am planning on seeding in a variety of native forbes and grasses this fall to diversify the planting and hopefully compete with the Dame's Rocket. I am going to report the population to the MN DNR Invasives Report site online. (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrial/report.html) Any suggestions or recommendations will be appreciated!

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hello Jeffrey, 

Thanks for reaching out! It was a good idea to remove the flowers last year. Cutting the flowers after they bloom will prevent the plant from producing more seeds. It is recommended to place the flowers in a bag and dispose of them in the trash.

Unfortunately, the plants likely had seeds banked in the soil that sprouted up again this year. It may take several years to completely eradicate the seeds in the soil. Here is a helpful article from the University of Wisconsin Extension with a few other tips: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/dames-rocket/

Good luck!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 06, 2024, 5:34 AM EDT

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