I bought little seedlings of this lovely perennial Honesty (originating from several Greek islands) around Easter last year from Special Plants in Bath and this spring they have started flowering. I had to move the plants last autumn to make way for my new greenhouse and was surprised to see that their roots were akin to Dahlia tubers, big and chunky, storing up plenty of energy for gorgeous blooms this year. This variety will grow in sun or light shade, with rich purplish seed pods, and if you sow seeds in late spring this year, they should flower next year. I’m hoping they’ll start to self-seed in my garden for the years ahead as it’s only a short-lived perennial.
I spent a few inspirational days volunteering at Great Dixter last week, where self-seeding is always encouraged to keep planting dynamic throughout the garden. Both green-leaved and variegated biennial Honesty (Lunaria annua) self-seeds freely in their borders (and in cracks in-between paving and buildings) allowing for some serendipitous planting combinations and I hope to get back to see some of these over the next few months. Special plants offer seeds for both biennial and perennial Honesties, including Lunaria rediviva, another perennial with lavender flowers and elliptical, more pointy seed pods.
These seed pods are a great childhood memory, sliding off the outer coats carefully, to reveal that delicate pale papery translucent film underneath. It’s only now that I’m realising what useful spring colour they can add to a garden.
At the moment ‘Corfu Blue’ is looking great alongside some nodding Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake).
20th April Postscript
Here’s Lunaria annua (confusingly a biennial) on a very sunny day at Great Dixter, contrasting brilliantly with some rich yellow tulips.
Lovely! Are these biennial? I had beautiful honesty in my garden but forgot to scatter some seeds at the right moment, so I think I’m now in a gap year.
Hi Nicolette, no, they’re a short-lived perennial, but not sure how many years they’ll come back for. Does take a year to get going though, just like a biennial. N x
Thanks. Meanwhile the summer snowflake you gave me looking fab in my garden too.
Gorgeous colour , easier on the eye than the purple ones, have tried L.Rediva, but this is different i think .
Hi Camilla, yes L. rediviva is different again, with paler lavender flowers and gorgeous elongated pointy pods. Just about to plant a few out if a clients garden and really looking forward to seeing their pods (as well as their flowers) later in the year.
I had a lovely variegated Honesty in my old garden in Cornwall – but as you say, it was short-lived – just disappeared, before I thought to collect seed.
I won a copy of your book a couple of years ago, and used it to grow more containerised veg when we moved house, but today we have broken through a dry stone wall to reshape our new garden plot – a blank canvas 15mx15m – I’m so excited…
Hi FF, sorry not to reply sooner! Your blank canvas does indeed sound very exciting. Hope you have a great growing year ahead. V,best Naomi
I have this lovely Lunaria too and I think it is beautiful. The variegated one always comes true from seed and is wonderful to.
Hi Chloris, just planted a tiny seedling of the variegated variety too, so hoping fr more of this in the future. Think all varieties are good self -seeders.
Oh now how pretty Naomi. I’ve got something to look forward to as I sowed some seeds of lunaria ‘Corfu Blue’ last year 🙂
Hi Anna, look forward to seeing pics of yours when in bloom. Nx
Lovely!
After such a cold winter, it is so nice to finally see plants blossoming!
Your garden is stunning!
You are the second person to post about, Lunaria annua ‘Corfu Blue’, it has definitely hit my “must have” list, I already have the standard honesty rampantly self seeding its way about. I want to add the white form too, or perhaps stick with white sweet rocket, to ring the changes. I am learning to love self-seeders, it never used to happen in my last garden, I think it was to densely planted, and with heavy soil too.
Hi Janet (again!), Think my soil is a tad on the heavy side too for self-seeders, but mulching over the years has helped to improve things. Aquilegias are rampant, and have high hopes that this Lunaria will follow suit!
Sweet Rocket sounds like a great idea-I love the scent- and I’m off to plant some (pink cultivars) in the front garden right now!
[…] with snowdrops and hellebores and strangely this year, with the rather early appearance of Leucojum (just nodding there in the background, and normally flowering in April). Along with the hellebores […]
Loved reaading this thank you