Lunaria annua var. alba

Genus: Lunaria

Species: annua

Variety: var. alba

Family Name: Brassicaceae/Cruciferae

Seed Catalogue No.: 827G

English Name(s): White Flowered Honesty

Hardiness: Hardy

Lifecycle: Annual, Biennial

Suitable for: Cut Flowers

Colour: White Cream

Flowers: April, May, June, July

Lighting Conditions: Full Sun, Partial Sun

Soil Type: Chalk, Sand, Loam

Soil Acidity: Alkaline, Neutral, Acid

Moisture: Well-drained

Germination Instructions

Renowned for germinating irregularly over a long period. Best sown directly where they are to grow in drills 3mm deep, 30cm apart. Keep soil damp until germination and thin to 15cm spacing. Allowing seed to overwinter in the soil lets nature cold stratify. Can be sown indoors. Sow onto loam based compost and only just cover soil with grit. Keep warm, ideal temp. 18°C. for 6-8 weeks. Then cold stratify 5°C. for 6-8 weeks. Then return to warmth. Repeat process until seeds germinate. Plant out as soon as possible after danger of frost has passed.

Growing Instructions

Prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil in partial sun. Requires little attention. Avoid overfeeding and do not manure.

Cultivation Instructions

Harvest seedheads in autumn. Peel off the green outer covering to reveal the silvery translucent 'silver pennies'. If not cut or deadheaded will self-seed freely.

When to Sow

• Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors
• Direct Sow/Plant Outdoors
• Flowers/Harvest

Approximate number of seeds per packet: 83

Please note we pack the majority of our seeds by volume so the number of seeds indicated is only an approximation.