Lunaria

The ethereal, silvery Moon-like discs of the Honesty plant catch alight in the evening sun, and are one of my greatest delights in the garden at this time of year. I have always been captivated by Lunaria, named so for its likeness to the moon; not only does it give a beautiful display of dainty butterfly-shaped flowers in Spring, it also comes through with rich, circular seed pods. As the wind blows, and eager hands touch the papery shapes, the seeds float away leaving exquisite shimmering satin coins.

   

Also known as the ‘Money Plant’, folklore tells us that one of these ‘coins’ kept in a purse or pocket will attract fortune.

Lunaria biennis is easily grown from seed, developing lush heart shaped leaves in its first year, flowering in the next. There are other varieties too, the annual ‘Lunaria annua’, and perennial ‘Lunaria Redviva’.

Primula vialii (The Orchid Primrose)

Back in March I started my lovely new job at a garden centre, and the first things I bought were some Primula vialii bulbs. I adore them! They’re herbaceous perennials and are perfect at the front of our shady border where they still get a bit of sun. The flowers are stunning and if you cut the flower stems off as the first flowers go past their best, you’ll get another set of flowers later in the summer.

Strangely, this plant has a link to Aleister Crowley, who when travelling in China, met the Scottish botanist George Forrest who discovered it there (but as it turns out he was not the first to discover and name the plant!)

More info can be found here. Growing from seed works out much cheaper than buying bulbs or pot plants so that’s the plan for Spring, though they won’t flower til the following year.

Siberian Catmint

Woad

Hawthorn

Yule