Hesperis Collection

Decorative botanical print with Virginia stock, poor man's orchid, wallcress and sea pink
5855531 Decorative botanical print with Virginia stock, poor man's orchid, wallcress and sea pink; (add.info.: Border plants including Virginia stock (Hesperis maritima)

Honesty, Lunaria annua (Lunaria biennis). Chromolithograph from an illustration by Desire Bois from Edward Steps Favourite Flowers of Garden and Greenhouse, Frederick Warne, London, 1896

Rocket, Hesperis matronalis. Chromolithograph from an illustration by Desire Bois from Edward Steps Favourite Flowers of Garden and Greenhouse, Frederick Warne, London, 1896

Scentless dames violet, Hesperis inodora. Handcoloured copperplate engraving after a drawing by James Sowerby for James Smiths English Botany, 1800

Rocket and candy tuft species
Large-flowered garden rocket, Hesperis grandiflora, showy rocket, Hesperis speciosa, fragrant rocket, Hesperis fragrans, seaside malcomia, Malcomia littorea, field moricandia, Moricandia arvensis

Dames violet varieties, Hesperis matronalis. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicers Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557

Jujube and Virginia stock
Jujube or Chinese date, Ziziphus jujuba 1, and Virginia stock, Malcolmia maritima 2. Jujubier, Julienne. Handcoloured steel engraving by August Dumenil after an illustration by A

Curtis British Entomology Plate 435
Coleoptera: Cardiapus mathewsii = Mantura matthewsi (Matthews?s Haltica) [Plant: Hesperis matronalis (Hesperis inodora, Scentless Damewort)] Date: 1824-39

Large-flowered dames violet Hesperis grandiflora.. Illustration by Sowerby, one of the famous dynasty of natural history illustrators founded by James Sowerby

Eleftherios Venizelos on board Hesperis, Salonika, WW1
Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936), Greek politician, who served as Prime Minister 1910-1920 and 1928-1932. Seen here (left) on board the Hesperis at Salonika during the First World War

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"Hesperis: A Fragrant Symphony of Honesty and Beauty" Step into the enchanting world of Hesperis, where honesty blooms in every petal. This captivating flower encompasses various species, each with its own unique charm. Lunaria annua, also known as "Honesty, " reveals delicate purple flowers that shimmer like moonlight on a tranquil night. Amongst the Hesperis family, we find Rocket (Hesperis matronalis), an elegant beauty that shoots up towards the sky with grace and vigor. Its tall stature is adorned with clusters of vibrant blossoms, creating a mesmerizing sight to behold. In contrast to its scented counterparts, Scentless Dames Violet (Hesperis inodora) may lack fragrance but compensates with its stunning appearance. With petals resembling candy tufts, this variety adds a touch of whimsy to any garden. Dames violet varieties within the Hesperis matronalis lineage showcase nature's artistic prowess. Jujube and Virginia stock intertwine their colors harmoniously, painting landscapes with hues ranging from soft pinks to deep purples. The allure extends beyond gardens; it has even captured the attention of renowned naturalists like Curtis British Entomology Plate 435. Their detailed illustrations immortalize these floral wonders for generations to come. One cannot overlook the grandeur of Large-flowered Dames Violet (Hesperis grandiflora). Its majestic presence demands admiration as it flaunts oversized petals in shades that range from pure white to rich lavender. Traveling across Europe brings us closer to DameaAs Rocket or Damask Violet (Hesperis matronalis), dancing alongside Rapeseed fields in Ireland's Republic. This breathtaking scene showcases nature's ability to create awe-inspiring symphonies through contrasting colors and textures. Even Eleftherios Venizelos himself found solace on board the Hesperis during World War I.