The unknown plant with seedpods I brought to the swap...

Kayte and Rob were trying to help me identify the plant that I clipped off a piece of with seed pods on it and brought to the swap at Gordon's this afternoon. I wanted to post some pics of it as it was growing before turning in for the night, to see if anyone on the PacNW forum might have seen this around their yard and know what it is. I put it up on the ID forum and the closest suggestion was Hesperis matronalis, but I'm just not positive that that's what it is. The plant's height right now is approx. 18 inches or so I'd say. Popped up in bare dirt after building our garage in the backyard.

So here's what it looked like as a baby... a face only a mother could love...

Then it got its flowers, and that's what really gave this plant its reprieve from being yanked...

A close-up of its stem, hairly and somewhat purple.

More of the flowers... with a big ol' finger to give a little perspective.

Sorry for the blur on this one, just trying to show how purple the base of the stem is.

And here we are now... the single most photographed plant in my yard, and its probably a weed! LOL :) Alright, well night night all!

That sure looks like it. Wish I'd taken some - it's darling!!

Hesperis it is, and you can find it on the sides of the road. Has a nice fragrance to it - usually blooms in the spring.
There is a white form also.

It's funny - I don't recall having seen it blooming on the side of the road, but the seed pods looked familiar . . . now you can bet I'll notice it everywhere.

Thanks you two! I haven't seen it either, but I haven't paid enough attention I don't think. I can send you some seeds if you like Kathy, would be no problem, if you are really interested. I thought it was a cute plant, how it self-sows... I'm a little nervous about that. :)

Hesperis matronalis - I don't think it's agressive, but most plants do thrive if given optimal conditions. I notice it in the spring, blooming when the weather is cool & wet.
Gee, that would have included most of this year...

Yes, hesperis (dames rocket). But I thought it was on the noxious weed list (along with about a gazillion other nice plants). Actually, I thought it was considered invasive in Wa state, but I don't have time to check right now. Off to workwork.

I think Pixy's right, that it is on the invasives list.

Here's a link to the noxious weed website, but guess what? I don't see it on there! I could have sworn it was there.
http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weed_list/weed_list.htm
Sue, did you find anything else on it? I saw one article that stated it was listed on the noxious weed 'educate' list, basically meaning they are keeping an eye on it, I guess. If we both thought it was there, at least we know we're not both crazy!

huh, whaddya know? I know I saw it listed someplace, or maybe it was just the educate list. In any case, you'd probably be a fun person to be delusional with, lol!

All I can say Stacie is I have no clue, and let them figure it out. LOL

I was going to say that - it's not on the WA noxious weeds list, though it's being "watched". I do think it's on the list for several other states, though . . .

Duh - I guess that's what you guys said, too. Now which of us can figure out where we saw that . . .

Hey, what matters here is that Stacy has a cool plant that she didn't have to buy! They are really pretty and make a good show. There is a white variety, too.

Hesperis is about as prolific as Digitalis; both naturalize well, and grow easily from seed.
I have the violet Hesperis, and it smells most fragrant in the evening. But it is a rare occurance for me to go out to enjoy its aroma, since spring evenings up here aren't known for being warm & dry.
I think it's worth growing; low-maintenance and easy to pull out - like digitalis.

Sorry this is so late! I am going to let it do its thing, and see what happens... I don't see it anywhere else in our neighborhood, and I really observe the plants on the walk between our house and daycare... kinda weird. So I am hoping it won't go crazy. Thanks so much you guys for your help and input... and I LOVE aquiring neat plants without having to buy them... I love all my plants from the swap, I planted them right away and everything seems to be doing pretty well. Hooray!!