Honesty, Lunaria annua, is an old-fashioned dual-purpose plant, grown partly for its fragrant purple or white flowers in spring and early summer, but also for its unique oval and translucent seedheads, popular with dried-flower arrangers. It's properly grown as a biennial, and makes large, well-branched plants in its second year, after which it will seed itself freely around the garden. However, smaller plants can be grown as hardy annuals from an early sowing, with a smaller flower display, but very good compact seed-heads.
Lunaria annua 'Chedglow' has wonderful chocolate leaves and lilac flowers. Grow in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Allow plants to self-seed and let the seedheads stand to add winter interest.
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Lunaria ‘Chedglow’ and wildlife
Lunaria ‘Chedglow’ is known for attracting bees and butterflies/moths. It is a caterpillar food plant and has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
