Lunaria Gardening   | ||||
|
Lunaria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, comprising two species. It is commonly known as Honesty or Satin Flower, and is native to central and southern Europe. The two species in Lunaria are Lunaria annua (Annual Honesty) and Lunaria rediviva (Perennial Honesty). Lunaria is widely grown as ornamental plant in gardens and is grown for its oval, translucent seedheads, which can be left in the garden to provide new plants or can be used as dried flower arrangements. The seedhaeds are food source for birds in winter. Lunaria is suitable to plant in cottage gardens, mixed borders, and woodland gardens. Lunaria annua (Annual Honesty), 90 x 30 cm, is a tall , hairy-stemmed annual or biennial plant native to the Balkans and southwest Asia. It has since naturalized throughout Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. In Southeast Asia and elsewhere, it is known as Money Plant, because its seed pods have the appearance of silver coins. the plant has large, mid-green, toothed, pointed oval leaves with marked serrations. In late spring to summer, the plant bears clusters of small white or light purple flowers. Lunaria annua var. albiflora produces only white flowers, while Lunaria annua var. albiflora 'Alba Variegata' has white flowers and leaves that are edged and variegated with white. 'Munstead Purple' has dark red-purple flowers. Lunaria rediviva (Perennial Honesty), 90 x 30 cm, is a tall, hardy perennial plant with hairy stemmed. It is found throughout Europe in damp woods, and on lime. It has dark green, large, pointed oval leaves with marked serrations. In spring to early summer, it bears fragrant, pale lilac flowers. These are followed by attractive seedheads. Lunaria grows well in full sun or partial shade, in fertile and well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed or division in spring. Beware of clubroot disease which can affect the plant. Lunaria annua Author: Ericoides (public domain) Lunaria annua Author: Rosenzweig (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic) Lunaria annua Author: Linda (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic) Lunaria annua Author: Christian Fischer (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0-unported) Lunaria rediviva Author: Hans B. (public domain) Lunaria rediviva Author: Metju (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0) Lunaria rediviva Author: Rasbak (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0) | ||||
|
