Lunaria annua var. albiflora 'Alba Variegata' (v)
honesty 'Alba Variegata'
A self-seeding biennial growing to around 60cm. The heart-shaped leaves have an irregular, white border, the white flowers appear in late spring and early summer, and are followed by flat, circular seedpods. When ripe, the outer covers and seeds fall away, revealing silvery, paper-thin discs
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green Variegated White | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green Variegated White | ||
| Autumn | Grey Silver | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Lunaria can be annuals, biennials or perennials, with triangular-ovate leaves and leafy racemes of 4-petalled flowers in late spring and early summer
- Name status
Not established
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in-situ in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Translucent seedheads are useful for dried flower arrangements; self-seeds readily, leave in situ if self-seeding is desirable, cut back after flowering if seeds are not required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be affected by club root and white blister
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.