These plants are biennials or short-lived perennials, native to Eurasia and cultivated in many other areas of the world for their attractive, spring-blooming flowers.

The leaves are alternately arranged on upright stems and lanceolate-shaped; they typically have very short petioles (or lack them) and have toothed margins, but sometimes are entire and are widest at the base.

The foliage has short hairs on the top and bottom surfaces that give the leaves a somewhat rough feel.

[6] In North America, Hesperis matronalis is often confused with native Phlox species that have similar large showy flower clusters.

Hesperis matronalis was given its modern scientific name by Carl Linnaeus in his book Species Plantarum in 1753.

[2] The genus name, Hesperis, means "of the evening", possibly referring to the strong fragrance of the flowers late in the day.

[8][7] In 1769 John Hill's Family Herbal called it "eveweed", yet another reference to its nighttime scent along with "night-smelling rocket", "vesper flower", and "mother-of-the-evening".

[8] Hesperis matronalis has been a cultivated species for a long time, and grows best in full sun to partial shade where soils are moist with good drainage.

Extensive monotypic stands of dame's rocket are visible from great distances; these dense collections of plants have the potential to crowd out native species when growing outside of cultivated areas.

This species is commonly found in roadside ditches, dumps and in open woodland settings, where it is noticed when in bloom.

Although it makes an attractive, hardy garden plant, it has been found to be ecologically invasive in North America.

[14][15] Hesperis matronalis is native to southern Europe from Spain to Turkey, and has been introduced to many other parts of the world with temperate climates.

Five U.S. states[20] have placed legal restrictions on it: In Alberta, Canada, it is considered a noxious weed, meaning its growth or spread needs to be prevented.