Erysimum linifolium ‘Bowles Me Away’ (Wallflower)

Erysimum linifolium ‘Bowles Me Away’: Endless Lilac Blooms & Easy Elegance for Modern Gardens

Imagine stepping into your garden on a cool spring morning. As the air stirs with the soft scent of flowers, dense clouds of lilac-to-lavender blossoms shimmer over neat domes of silvery foliage. Bees and butterflies dart between the blooms, adding movement and life. You pause—admiring how seamlessly this vibrant beauty fills your border or container, shining on through heat, drought, and even into the mild winter. Welcome to the reliably cheerful world of Erysimum linifolium ‘Bowles Me Away’—a perennial wallflower bred for extraordinary impact and ease.

History & Breeding

Bred by Darwin Perennials and protected under PP 29,380, ‘Bowles Me Away’ was chosen for nonstop blooming and exceptional garden stamina. Unlike many older wallflowers, this variety doesn’t need a period of cold (“vernalization”) to flower and keeps going strong from early spring through the heat of summer—and well into fall in temperate zones. Whether you call it a wallflower, erysimum, or perennial bedding solution, it’s a breakthrough plant for modern landscapes.

Plant Type & Habit

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial wallflower
• Botanical Name: Erysimum linifolium ‘Bowles Me Away’ (PP29,380)
• Growth Habit: Upright, compact, bushy, and mounding—spreading nearly as wide as it is tall
• Durability: Heat and drought tolerant; withstands harsh sun, exposed conditions, and mild frosts

Size

At maturity, ‘Bowles Me Away’ reaches 18–24 inches (45–60cm) in both height and width. It’s perfect for the front or middle of borders, statement container groupings, and mixed beds.

Lifespan

This variety can last several seasons as a perennial in zones 6a–8b, especially if spent flower stalks are trimmed and the plant is divided or refreshed after heavy flowering. In harsher climates, it may be grown as a biennial or cool-season annual with stunning impact.

Flowers & Bloom Season

• Flower Color: Intense, vibrant lilac to purple-lavender with a glowing effect in soft light. Large corymbs cover the dome for months on end.
• Scent: Gently spicy-sweet, excellent for attracting pollinators and delighting passersby.
• Bloom Period: Begins in early spring. Reblooms steadily through summer and into early autumn; in frost-free climates, blooms may continue in winter.

Foliage

Narrow, gray-green to silvery leaves remain evergreen in mild winters, forming a lush, soft mound that keeps the garden looking lively and structured all year.

Hardiness

• USDA Zones: 6a–8b
• Weather Tolerance: Tolerates frost down to –5°F (–20°C); handles summer heat without flagging; adaptable to wind and coastal exposure.

Uses

• Pollinator, cottage, and Mediterranean gardens
• Bright perennial borders and driveway edges
• Colorful groundcover or slope plantings
• Container displays and patio groupings
• Early season flower arrangements and cut posies

Deer and Rabbit Resistance

With aromatic, somewhat bitter foliage, ‘Bowles Me Away’ deters deer and rabbits, working well in wildlife-prone or open landscapes.

Wildlife and Ecological Benefits

• Blooms packed with nectar attract bees and butterflies.
• Early flowering provides food for these pollinators before many spring perennials are up
• Low fertilizer and water requirements support sustainable, earth-friendly gardening

Toxicity

Like other wallflowers, Erysimum contains natural compounds (including glucosinolates) that are mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities. Keep away from children and pets that may nibble. May cause stomach upset if eaten; sap can irritate sensitive skin—wear gloves when handling.

Invasiveness

This variety is clump-forming and well-behaved—‘Bowles Me Away’ will not aggressively self-seed or run. Enjoy dense, reliable mounds where you plant them.

Getting Started: Planting ‘Bowles Me Away’

Location, Location, Location!

• Sun: Thrives in full sun; tolerates partial shade (may get leggier in deep shade).
• Soil: Loose, well-drained soils preferred. Will happily grow in neutral to alkaline pH. Avoid heavy clay or boggy spots.
• Spacing: Space 20–24 inches (50–60cm) apart for air circulation and to showcase individual mounds.

How to Plant

• Dig planting holes as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.
• Gently loosen roots if pot-bound.
• Plant level with the surrounding ground, backfill lightly, and water in well.
• Mulch with gravel or light bark (keeping mulch away from stems) to conserve moisture and control weeds.

What About Seeds?

‘Bowles Me Away’ is protected and best grown from nursery plants or cuttings—seed-grown plants won’t match its superior color and performance.

Caring for Erysimum ‘Bowles Me Away’

• Water: Keep soil moderately moist during establishment (first 2–3 months). Afterward, only water during prolonged drought.
• Fertilize: Monthly with balanced fertilizer during the main growing season—avoid overfeeding to maintain compact shape and abundant bloom.
• Deadhead: Snip off spent flowers regularly to keep new ones coming; trim after heavy bloom flushes to encourage reblooming.
• Divide: Plants may be revitalized every 2–3 years by lifting and dividing or simply cutting back to encourage dense regrowth.
• Mulch: A light layer in late fall in cooler zones helps protect roots; avoid soggy winter soils that can cause rot.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Pests and Diseases

• Pests: Mostly pest-free; occasionally susceptible to aphids or cabbage butterfly caterpillars—remove by hand or wash off with water.
• Disease: Watch for stem rot or fungal infections in soggy, humid weather. Provide good drainage and airflow.
• Legginess: Caused by too little light—cut back hard in spring or move to a sunnier spot.
• Browning leaves: Overwatering, excessive winter moisture, or natural aging—prune and improve soil conditions.

Designing with ‘Bowles Me Away’

• Pollinator strips: Brilliant with wallflower’s soft purple shades alongside spring bulbs, nepeta, or aromatic herbs.
• Mixed borders: Pair with compact dianthus, aubrieta, arabis, or creeping phlox for months of color contrast.
• Containers and patios: Dazzling in pots with silver artemisia, salvia, or dwarf grasses for long-lasting color on decks and balconies.
• Rock and Mediterranean gardens: Perfect with thyme, lavender, santolina, or euphorbia for minimal-maintenance displays.
• Slopes and edgings: Low, mounding habit hugs contours beautifully, defines paths, and controls erosion gently.

“Every spring, my Bowles Me Away is a sea of lilac blooms—bees are everywhere, and there’s never a dull moment in the border!” — Happy gardener, California

Propagation Tips

Division

• In early spring or after the first major bloom, dig up root clumps and split into smaller sections, each with healthy roots. Replant immediately.

Cuttings

• Take non-blooming tip cuttings (about 4in/10cm) in spring or early autumn. Dip in rooting hormone, plant in loose medium, keep moist until roots form (about 4–6 weeks).

Fun Facts About ‘Bowles Me Away’ Erysimum

• Wallflowers get their name from growing in rocky crags and stone walls in their Mediterranean homelands.
• ‘Bowles Me Away’ is named to honor legendary plantsman E.A. Bowles and its awe-inspiring bloom performance.
• Blooms from this variety are edible in moderation and make cheerful garnishes (but try them sparingly, as flavor is mild and peppery).
• May flower nonstop all winter in frost-free zones—an amazing feature for container gardens.

Common Questions Answered

Will ‘Bowles Me Away’ bloom in its first season?

Yes! It flowers the first year even without cold winter weather—unlike some older wallflowers.

Does it need staking?

No. The sturdy, compact habit stands upright even in rough spring winds.

Can it grow in containers?

Absolutely. It’s perfect for patio pots or grouped with other spring-summer perennials.

Why is my plant leggy or floppy?

Most likely, too much shade or overfertilization. Prune hard in early spring or move to a sunnier spot.

Does it attract lots of bees?

Yes. Pollinators love the seemingly endless display of nectar-rich flowers.

Is ‘Bowles Me Away’ fragrant?

The flowers offer a spicy-sweet scent, noticeable on warm days or when cut for vases.

Do I need to deadhead?

Deadheading encourages rebloom and a tidier clump, but the plant will continue its natural cycle even if not trimmed often.

How long will plants last?

Most spectacular for 2–3 years in the perennial border, but easy to refresh by cuttings or division as needed. Treat as a perennial where hardy, and an extended-season annual elsewhere for impact all season.