My wife planted a variety of wildflowers last year and this flox like plant came up with four, not five petal flowers that have been identified as "dames rocket." Her research shows its invasive and spreads and is recommended for removal according to this website. http://www.prairiemoon.com/blog/customer-frequently-asked-questions/dames-rocket-vs-native-phlox/2010/05/

But since they may not have the permie attitude we do, I wanted to pose the question to the awesome experts here at permies.com.

I've seen several threads on search here that mention dames rocket and some people eat it. No one yet has said, at least in my searches that it's bad and needs to be killed. I think its a pretty plant. We have about an acre of land. I would love to keep it if it has any benefits.

It does not get a high edibility rating from Plants for a Future: http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Hesperis+matronalis

Because of that low rating I would personally be more likely to remove it before it becomes a problem, if I have the option.

I have never had it get running out of control in our climate here in Montana.Have seen it growing wild in a few places.The bees like it as a pollinator plant, we have ate the young sprouts before as well.Those two thoughts out being the more appropriate ones for the site.I personally grow it for eye candy and the smell..It is one of those highly fragrant enjoyable plants that one can cut and bring in bouquets....Being a bi-annual if you want to manage it simply be sure to cut it for flower arrangements while it is in bloom,, easy no seeds dropped that way..
Mary
of the
Happy House

Dames Rocket is edible, I eat it..and as long as you pull it before it goes to seed you can control it fairly easily...if you don't like it.. It is a great insectary plant and is especially useful for early bees when nothing else is in bloom.

I love the stuff and really frown on things being despised..of course, if you have a very very tiny garden then you might want to pull it out..but wait until it has bloomed..and try eating some baby leaves.

Thanks for all the info and suggestions. We have an acre and I want to get a lot of it in plants. Now getting my wife on board 100% is another story. She's about 70% there.

the advantage of dames rocket(at least here in the PacificNW)is that is one of the earliest spring greens ,easily edible by mid febuary in some years.I rate it pretty high as an edible because of that.