The shimmery seed pods of this biennial plant are great for dried flower arrangements.
The purple flowers in late spring to summer add color to flower beds after the spring bulbs have faded.
The seed pods make long-lasting additions todried flower arrangements.
The plant grows well in a pH range from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
Good places for honesty are beds, borders, and cutting gardens.
Combine it with other flowers that produce attractive dried blossoms for a cutting garden with an everlasting impact.
Perennials that preserve well includeblazing star, globe thistle,yarrow, and German statice.
Lunaria annua is considered invasive in parts of the United States, including Oregon, Michigan, and Virginia.
Plant the seeds 14 inch deep.
The seeds need light to germinate.
Space seeds 4 to 6 inches apart.
Keep the soil evenly moist.
As the seedlings grow, thin them to a final space of 15 to 18 inches between plants.
Honesty Care Tips
Honesty is a low-maintenance plant.
The most challenging aspect of care is to keep it from reseeding itself.
Light
Honesty grows in full sun or part shade.
Soil and Water
The soil should be rich in organic matter and ideally moist.
AnypH in the range between 5.5 and 8.5is suitable.
Allow the soil to dry out in between waterings.
Fertilizer
If planted in rich, fertile soil, the plant does not need frequent fertilization.
In the spring, apply a layer of compost around the plant.
Pruning
Honesty requires minimal pruning unless you want to prevent the plant from self-seeding.
remove the spent flowers before they go into seed.
Potting and Repotting Honesty
Honesty is suitable for growing in containers.
verify the container has drainage holes and fill it with a lightweight, well-draining potting mix.
Container plants need more frequent watering, especially in warm weather.
Pests and Problems
The plant has no serious pest or diseases issues.
It might get leaf spot and stem canker.
How to Propagate Honesty
With its taproot, honesty is difficult to transplant.
The flowers have a distinct blue tinge and the plant is more branched than the species.
In addition to its flowers,lady’s mantleis prized for its foliage.
Shallow leaves of cool green with softly scalloped edges are covered with soft hairs.
Once established, it is drought-tolerant.
Sedum Autumn Joy is a classic upright sedum that grows about 2 feet tall.
Gently rub off the brown husks from the sides of seed pods.
Lunaria annuais a biennial, it bears flowers and sets seeds in its second year then dies.
Another Lunaria species is perennial honesty (Lunaria rediviva), with pale lilac flower clusters.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
“Annual Honesty.”
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
