Tower Mustard

About Tower Mustard

Tower Mustard is a statuesque biennial that adds vertical interest and a touch of wild beauty to the prairie or meadow. In its first year, it forms a low-growing rosette of hairy basal leaves, while the second year sees the emergence of a tall, smooth, glaucous (waxy) stem that can reach up to 5 feet in height. The small, cream-colored flowers bloom from May to July, arranged in a narrow, upright spike that gives the plant its 'tower' name. Native across much of the Northern Hemisphere, it is frequently found in open woods, rocky slopes, and sandy fields. Tower Mustard is a vital host plant for several species of white and marble butterflies, and its nectar attracts various small bees and flies. It thrives in full sun and is remarkably tolerant of poor, dry soils. This hardy biennial is a great choice for naturalized areas where it can be allowed to self-seed and move through the landscape.