Lunaria annua var. albiflora
white honesty
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering: June to September
- Hardiness: hardy biennial
White flowers are followed by translucent, flattened seed heads that remain on the plant well into autumn, or if picked and dried, make excellent additions to dried flower arrangements. Lunaria f. albiflora is a charming biennial that will happily self-seed and whose flowers are highly-attractive to butterflies and bees, making it perfect for naturalising in a wild garden, meadow, or at a woodland edge.
Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming, and allow some seed pods to mature if you want the plant to self-seed for the next season, or for use in dried flower arrangements. Pinching out the tips as they grow will encourage bushier growth. Lunaria may need staking, particularly in more exposed positions.
Sow the seeds straight into a well-prepared seedbed in early summer, planting approx 2.5mm deep. Thin out as soon as they are large enough to handle, replanting the extras so there is approximately 30cm between each. Pinching out the tips as they grow will encourage bushier growth.