Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'
honeywort 'Purpurascens'
A popular, upright annual or occasionally biennial, to 60cm in height, with blue-green leaves lightly spotted white, and tubular deep purple flowers, sometimes tipped yellow, with conspicuous purple bracts, flowering in spring and summer
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 | Blue Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Purple Yellow | Blue Green | ||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Cerinthe can be annuals, biennials or perennials, with simple, often greyish leaves and tubular flowers borne in a pendent terminal cluster with conspicuous bracts
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a well-drained, fertile soil in a sheltered position in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in gentle heat in spring, plant out when the danger of frost has passed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back after flowering
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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.