Lunaria annua (Honesty) seeds

Much loved traditional garden plant introduced to the UK from southern Europe in the 16th century and very well established here now. From May to July bears clusters of fragrant, pinky purple, (sometimes white), flowers followed by the unique, oval, transluscent seed pods it is most well known for. Leave these on the plant for winter interest and the birds will thank you for a valuable food source!

Hardy Biennial
Flowers: May to July
Height: 90cm, Spread: 30cm
Position: Sun or semi-shade in any soil

Packet of 25 seeds

RHS Plants for Pollinators. 

The RHS Plants for Pollinators mark is only given to plants that support pollinating insects. Find out more at rhs.org.uk/plantsforpollinators

GROWING GUIDE

Indoors

• Sow at any time of year except mid summer as too much heat may produce spindly plants.  Sow 3mm deep in moist seed compost. Place in a propagator or seal in a polythene bag and maintain a temperature of about 21C. Germination should occur in 15-30 days.
• When the seedlings emerge increase ventilation by opening the bag or propagator vents slightly. Grow on until large enough to handle and pot up into small pots (7-9cm) then grow on in slightly cooler conditions in plenty of light but shaded from direct sun.
• In spring, after all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions by placing plants outdoors during the day for 10 days, before planting out.

Outdoors

• Sow in late spring to early summer in a well prepared seed bed or in their flowering positions. In a seed bed, sow the seeds very thinly 3mm deep in drills 30cm apart and keep the soil damp until germination takes place. Thin out the seedlings to 15cm apart when large enough to handle then transplant when established to flowering position.
• In flowering position, press seeds 3mm into soil, keep soil damp until germination, then remove excess seedlings as necessary.