Why Is The Plant Called Honesty?

Etymology. The Latin name lunaria means “moon-shaped” and refers to the shape and appearance of this species’ silicles. The common name “honesty” arose in the 16th century, and may also relate to the translucence of its silicle membranes.

What is the plant called honesty?

Honesty, Lunaria, is an old-fashioned cottage garden plant, known more for its seeds than its flowers. The distinctive flat, translucent papery pods, which hold the dark seeds, are often used in dried flower arranging but, if left on the plant, they’re good for adding winter interest to the garden.

Is the honesty plant poisonous?

Is Lunaria annua poisonous? Lunaria annua has no toxic effects reported.

Can you eat honesty flowers?

The flowers can be added to salads. The seeds can be used to make a mustard substitute which is strengthened by crushing and mixing with cold water. The root can be peeled and eaten.

What do the leaves of honesty look like?

In their first, non-flowering year, their leaves are simply green, but in the second year they form more leaves that are silvery white, at the same time as sending up a branching spike of delicate white flowers. I think the very best form of honesty is ‘Corfu Blue’ which has purple-blue flowers and dark-flushed stems.

Do honesty plants come back every year?

It is 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.

Does honesty grow wild?

Honesty is species which is most commonly grown in gardens and which is the more likely to escape, rather than Perennial Honesty. They are a favourite cottage-garden wild flower. You are much more likely to find this plant either in a garden itself, or near houses than growing in the wild.

Can you eat annual honesty?

Edible Uses Seed – cooked. A pungent flavour, they are used as a mustard substitute[183].

Is honesty good for bees?

Honesty (Lunaria annua): Honesty blooms in April with delicate clusters of fragrant white or purple flowers. Its pollen rich petals are attractive to a variety of pollinators, including butterflies, moths, and bees. Blue and violet varieties are particularly attractive to bees.

Is honesty a perennial?

Perennial honesty, Lunaria rediviva, is a beautiful herbaceous perennial admired for its long season of interest. For best results, grow Lunaria rediviva in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil.

Can you get white honesty?

annual var albiflora is the white-flowered form of Honesty, often seen growing wild but also grown as an annual or biennial. It has heart-shaped leaves and in spring and summer, produces dainty, white flowers, followed by interesting, flat, translucent seed pods in autumn.

Is annual honesty invasive?

Annual honesty can become invasive if left to its own devices. Pull up any extra plants in the spring before they go to seed. A native replacement for this could be golden ragwort.

Does honesty grow in shade?

Common-or-garden honesty is one of my favourite plants. It is an easy biennial to grow, will gently self-sow but not invade, and it thrives almost anywhere – in the sun or even in the shade of a hedge.

How do you grow honesty?

Honesty is easy to grow in moist, organically rich soil and full sun or part shade. Sow seeds outdoors in spring as soon as the ground can be worked, then cover them lightly with soil. Honesty will produce green, leafy growth the first year then flowers and seeds the second year.

How do you dry honesty flowers?

Honesty is the simplest plant to dry – its strong structure is already there, there is nothing that can shrivel or droop.

1. Cut on a dry day – damp seed heads may go mouldy.
2. Cut the stems down a bit and stack somewhere dry and warm.
3. Leave for a couple of weeks until it is easy to peel back the outer casings from the top.