Lunaria annua subsp. pachyrrhiza 'Corfu Blue'

RHS Plant Profile
honesty 'Corfu Blue'
Award of Garden MeritPlants for pollinators
Annual Biennial

An upright biennial bearing ovate to heart-shaped, toothed, dark grey-green leaves and violet-blue flowers in late spring and early summer, followed by flat, green seed pods. When ripe, the outer covers peel away to expose silvery, paper-like discs.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Clay, Chalk, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Clay Chalk Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Neutral or Acid or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-draibned soil in sun or partial shade. It can be allowed to self-seed if desired; unwanted seedlings are easy to remove.

Propagation

Propagate by seed in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Not required, but faded foliage can be cut back once seedheads have been enjoyed

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free