Lunaria annua (Honesty)

Fast-growing, Honesty (Lunaria annua) or Silver Dollar or Money Plant is a very interesting biennial with its heads of 4-petaled flowers, deep purple to white, blooming in mid-late spring to early summer. These are beautifully replaced in midsummer by translucent, round, flat seed pods looking like silvery coins! These seed pods are the most noteworthy ornamental feature of this plant and are highly prized in dried flower arrangements. The foliage consists of medium green, oval to heart-shaped, serrated, pointed leaves at their tips.

• Reaching 2-3 ft. in height (60-90 cm), this erect biennial is often grown by planting seeds in the ground in spring for bloom the following year but will persist in the garden for many years as it self-sows prolifically. In warmer areas (USDA 8-10), it may be planted in the fall for flowers and fruits to appear the following year. This plant attracts butterflies and is resilient to most pests and diseases.
• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• A remarkably low-maintenance plant, this excellent performer looks spectacular when grown in beds, borders, shade gardens, cutting gardens, among spring bulbs, or naturalized in woodlands. Excellent in dried flower arrangements!
• A full sun or part shade lover, it thrives in organically rich, moist, and well-drained soils. Dry soils are to be avoided!
• Native to Europe.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.