dame’s rocket
I love the way Peanut, the purple flower, and the yellow flower looked in this picture. Summer must be amazing for Peanut because everywhere sprouts flowers that to him are probably as big as trees are to us. The purple flowers are dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis). They are considered invasive in Indiana and across much of the Midwest because they spread aggressively and can crowd out native spring wildflowers, which is probably why you do not really see people selling them openly.
The yellow flower, of course, is a dandelion. I do wonder how the purple flowers got there.
One little identification note, just because it is useful: dame’s rocket has four petals, while garden phlox has five, which is one of the easiest ways to tell them apart.
Indiana native plant sources often suggest downy phlox as a good alternative. (Indiana Native Plants Finder)
