Are these Wallflowers - or not?

[Cetti]

As they were at their best during the first months of the year I was convinced they were, now not so sure, as I thought they should have died long ago. They've flowered through most of the year, but look as though they've had enough .

If they are Wallflowers do I cut them down to the ground or leave them alone? If not, please tell me what they are. Thank you.

http://i23.tinypic.com/98frep.jpg

http://i22.tinypic.com/2lm8h11.jpg

[Clanad]

Allowing for differences in what ya'll call aWallflower and what I'm familiar with here in the U.S., Cetti, your examples don't look or sound like our typical variety. Ours, as exampled in this picture:
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/pixpg/wallflowe rpix.html , are, as the attached article states, a perennial, but my experience, admittedly limited, indicates the plant should more readily be typified as a bi-annual, rather like Foxglove. At any rate, ours tend to bloom in spring and generally are through by mid to late July at the very best. If it is Wallflower it requires very little tending and only a small amount of pruning. (Good seeing your here again, by the way! I'm kind of hit and miss myself)... Best of luck!

[Robinia]

Hi Cetti!
Not plants I've ever grown but yes, as Clanad says, they look like perennial wallflowers (erysimum). I'd seen mauve ones before but not yellow....

these look about right!

Hope life is good in your 'new' home & garden. :o)

[Cetti]

Thank you both for your help.

I must admit Clanad, its not a flower that I would ever choose to plant as it's mostly associated with parents or grandparents gardens, so not very popular over here but I've grown quite fond of them and they do hide a very crumbly wall!

Ask me again in two years time, Robinia. I think we might be a little more organized by then. All great fun :-)

[Bromsgrove]

Hello! Yes they are perennial wallflowers- erysimum, they come in a variety of colours, some more subtle than others. To keep them tidy trim lightly in the early autumn, or late spring, but do not cut into old wood. After about 3 years they start to look straggly and can be replaced easily by taking cuttings.

[Cetti]

Hello Bromsgrove, These are looking very straggly as they probably haven't been touched for many years, so I'll wait and see if they show well in the spring and if not invest in some new plants.

[woofgang]

they seed well too so it might be worth gathering next years seed and giving it a go....have to say that i am a fan of these...they give a lovely old world touch to a garden

[Cetti]

woofgang, how wonderful to see you again! Do stay now, won't you?

Back to wallflowers - I can't find where the seed should be, so as I've grown quite fond of them I shall allow them to stay where they are and perhaps buy younger ones next year.

[woofgang]

Hello Cetti, its lovely to be back and I don't plan on losing myself again. Its lovely that you remember me too as you answered my first ever question on here back when dinosaurs roamed the internet