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Honeywort 'Purpurascens'
Seed Packet

Honeywort 'Purpurascens'

Cerinthe major var. purpurascens
Honeywort Purpurescens suits a relaxed type of gardening, for it's pretty relaxed itself, with mounds of arching branches curving down at the tips, where a purple bead of a flower is held fast by overlayed purple bracts. The glaucous foliage adds another cool note to the scene, but paired with vibrant orange-red calendulas and the delicate foliage of love-in-a-mist, it creates a cottage garden vignette of unexpected beauty.
SKU #S1575
$3.25
Details
Approximate Seeds Per Packet
18
Lifecycle
Annual
Annual Hardiness
Hardy Annual
Mature Size
2' h x 1-2' w
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Soil
Regular, moist, well-drained
Season
Summer to fall
Color
Purple flowers and bracts are showiest in cool weather
Features
Attracts Bees
Attracts Hummingbirds
SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Depth:
1/4"
Sprout Time:
7-10 days
Seed To Bloom:
12-14 weeks
Starting Indoors:
Soak seed overnight and sow in pots 4-6 weeks before last frost. Keep at 60-70°F.
Starting Outdoors:
Direct sow in fall in warm areas (zones 8+).
WHEN TO SET OUTSIDE
At last frost date.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
Cerinthe is native to the Mediterranean, where it grows as a biennial. However, it is grown in northern gardens as a summer blooming annual. The little bell-shaped flowers attract bees and hummingbirds, turning your garden into a hive of activity. Colorful bracts surrounding the flowers change to a more vivid hue in cool fall weather. Provide about 1" of mulch to keep the soil cool and help retain moisture. Honeywort grows best in regular soils, as rich soils will encourage sprawling growth.
Final Spacing:
1'
Water Requirements:
Medium Water Use
Watering Details:
Water regularly, but do not overwater—about 1" per week.
Soil pH:
Prefers slightly alkaline.
Fertilizer:
Apply a 1/2" layer of compost when planting.
Diseases & Pests:
Prevent slug problems by sprinkling diatomaceous earth or pelletized iron phosphate on the soil around the plants.
Growing Guides Fall Sowing Hardy Annuals
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