Lunaria rediviva – perennial honesty

Description

Lunaria rediviva – Satin Flower, Perennial Honesty

This perennial honesty is a real asset in the Spring garden as it comes back year after year. It produces upright clumps of handsome heart-shaped leaves and in May, clusters of almost white, lilac flushed four petaled flowers with violet calyces and a sweet scent that is reminiscent of violets. Later, pretty mother-of-pearl papery seed cases are produced which are attractive in the garden well into winter and cut well for dried decorations. Unlike the annual Lunarias, the cases are elliptical in shaped with a tapering point.
For moist sun or partial shade. Native to damp calcareous woodland in Europe, but unfussy in gardens where it will self seed when happy. 1m x 30cm. May to July, deciduous.