Honesty Purple And White Seeds

Ornamental and fragrant with terminal clusters of purple and white cup shaped flowers followed by iconic translucent seed pods.

 

Honesty Purple And White forms erect biennial or short lived perennial stems with attractive heart shaped leaves that provide early to mid spring nectar for pollinators and lasting winter interest when pods are left for drying.

 

Ideal for cottage borders cottage gardens and naturalistic plantings where seasonal colour and floral craft use are valued.

 

Seed Qty Approx 50

 

Sow March to May or August to September for autumn sowing

Germination 7 to 21 days often improved after a cool period

Soil Light to medium well drained loam or sandy neutral to slightly alkaline

Height 60 to 120 cm

Flowering April to June depending on sowing time and climate

Good Companions Foxglove honesty forget me not ornamental grasses

Avoid Pairing With Waterlogged heavy clay or very exposed windy sites

 

Sowing Instructions

 

Sow surface or cover very lightly in trays or sow direct into a well prepared seedbed. For spring sowing sow March to May and keep at cool to moderate temperatures. For autumn sowing sow August to September to allow seedlings to establish before winter. Maintain even moisture but avoid waterlogging.

 

Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle and space 30 to 45 cm apart. Harden off before planting out after risk of severe frost has passed.

 

Grow in full sun to partial shade in moist but well drained soil enriched with organic matter. Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds. Stake if plants become top heavy in windy sites. Leave some seed pods on the plant for drying and cut when papery for dried arrangements. Allow self seed to naturalise if desired and thin seedlings to maintain vigour.