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Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens' (common name Honeywort) has silvery leaves with purple hanging bells, one of the best annual foliage plants. I absolutely love this and it gently self-sows, so you never need buy it again.
It's superb as a garden plant and cut flower and absolutely loved by butterflies and bees – hence its common name.
If you sear the stems in boiling water for 30 seconds it will last longer as a cut flower.
Watch Sarah create a hand-tied bouquet with Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens' as her secondary foliage, in How to Create a Hand Tied Bunch on the Sarah Raven YouTube channel.
- Good for beginners
| Genus: | Cerinthe major |
| Variety: | 'Purpurascens' |
| Common name: | Honeywort |
| Type: | Annual |
| Soil Type: | Well drained soil, with plenty of organic matter. | Site: | Full sun and shelter | Hardiness: | Hardy |
| Sowing: | Tough coated seeds, best soaked for 12 hours and then sown under cover in March-April and/or late August-September. Will self-sow. |
| Final Thinning/Planting Distance: | 30-40cm | Height: | 60cm (2ft) | Spread: | 60cm (2ft) |
| Flowers: | ❀ June - September, or 12 weeks from spring sowing. |
| Flower production: | 2-3 months |
| Vase life: | 7-10 days. | Conditioning: | When sappy in spring, sear stem ends in boiling water for 30 seconds |
