Honesty Mixed

A plant that gives twice — and both gifts are worth having. In late spring, Honesty Mixed produces tall, branching sprays of vibrant flowers in rich purple, magenta, lilac, and pure white, bridging the gap perfectly between spring bulbs and summer perennials.

But the real magic happens in autumn. The flowers turn into flat, round, paper-thin seed pods that, when dried and peeled, reveal shimmering, translucent, pearlescent discs that look like silver moons — the crown jewel of winter dried arrangements, lasting for years without fading.

• Lunaria annua — Hardy Biennial (H5)
• Height: 60–90cm | Flowers: April–June (Year 2)
• Sow outdoors May–July; flowers the following spring
• Partial shade to full sun; well-drained soil
• Self-seeds freely — naturalises beautifully over time
• Pearlescent seed pods outstanding for drying

Leave the stems standing as the pods form, then harvest in autumn before the first frosts for the most luminous dried arrangements.