Lunaria annua
honesty
A hardy annual or biennial, with toothed, heart-shaped leaves, and large, open clusters of purple flowers in late spring and early summer, followed by flat, round, silvery seed pods
Other common names
annual honestybolbonac
see moreChinese money
common honesty
grandpa's specs
Judas's penny
matrimony
money
money flower
money in both pockets
moon seed
moonwort
penny bark
penny flower
Peter's pence
Pope's money
prick-song flower
satin leaves
satin pod
silver leaf
silver plate
St Peter's pence
white satin
moneywort
satin flower
silver dollar
Synonyms
Lunaria biennisSize
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Purple | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Purple | Green | ||
Autumn | Grey Silver | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade; valuable for wildlife gardens
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in-situ in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Translucent seedheads are useful for dried flower arrangements; self-seeds readily, leave in situ if self-seeding is desirable, cut back after flowering if seeds are not required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be affected by club root and white blister
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.