A Siberian wallflower is a wildflower plant with orange flowers, nicknamed "apricot delight" due to its color. It's considered a biennial, but can be planted as a perennial as well. It is native to the cold climates of northern Europe, but is cultivated for garden use in a large area of the world. The Siberian wallflower has a variety of uses in the garden and is relatively easy to grow.
The Siberian wallflower usually will grow to a height of about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) and will spread out to a maximum width of approximately 32 inches (80 cm). It has tall sturdy stems that often branch out in a few directions and have a slightly woody texture. The evergreen leaves are narrow and long with a vivid green color, and they typically grow in pairs all along the stem. The small simple flowers bloom in clusters at the tops of the stems, and are light-to-medium orange in color. The flowers have a light, pleasant fragrance and usually bloom in the spring and summer.
In nature, the Siberian wallflower grows as a biennial, taking two years to complete a full life cycle. In the first year, the stems and leaves grow after the plant grows from seed. Then, in the second year, the flowers bloom and the plant produces seeds. After the seeds are released, the plant dies at the time of the first frost. In warmer climates, the plant can be grown as a perennial, returning year after year.
The native area of the Siberian wallflower is Northern Europe, in countries such as Russia, England, and many others. As the name suggests, it's able to grow in a cold climate, and this could be connected to the biennial nature of its life cycle. It's adaptable to a wide range of temperate climates in cultivation, and is commonly grown in other areas of Europe and North America. Often when it's grown in cultivation in warmer climates, it will behave as a perennial, producing flowers and self-seeding every year.
Some common uses of Siberian wallflower in the garden include natural looking flower beds, borders, and edging. The planting process is very simple, consisting of scattering the seeds on loosened soil and pressing them in lightly; the seeds need not be covered. The Siberian wallflower can adapt to a variety of soil types as long as the soil drains well, and it does best in a location with full sun to partial shade. It should be watered on a regular basis, and needs no other special care.
