Honeywort - Cerinthe Major

35 seeds

Attractive, Unusual Flowers:

Honeywort produces vibrant, bell-shaped flowers with striking blue-violet petals and a honey-like fragrance. These blooms are a favorite for pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

Silvery-Green Foliage:

The plant has attractive, succulent-like, silvery leaves that add an interesting contrast to the bright, colorful blooms. The foliage is robust and forms a dense clump, enhancing its garden presence.

Pollinator-Friendly:

Honeywort is a magnet for bees and other beneficial pollinators, making it an excellent choice for wildlife gardens.

Versatile Garden Plant:

It works well in a variety of settings, including borders, containers, hanging baskets, and as a groundcover. Honeywort also has good drought tolerance once established.

Light Requirements:

Honeywort thrives in full sun to partial shade. For best results, provide at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. In hotter climates, partial shade in the afternoon will prevent the plant from wilting.

Watering:

Water regularly, keeping the soil moderately moist. Honeywort prefers well-draining soil, but it should not dry out completely. Once established, it has some drought tolerance, so allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Soil:

Plant in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. It prefers slightly alkaline to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Honeywort tolerates a variety of soil types, including sandy and clay soils, as long as they are well-drained.

Fertilization:

Honeywort is not a heavy feeder, but applying a light dose of balanced fertilizer in early spring can promote healthy growth and abundant blooms. Avoid excessive fertilization as it may lead to lush foliage with fewer flowers.

Pruning:

Honeywort is generally low-maintenance and doesn’t require much pruning. However, to encourage more vigorous growth, you can cut back any leggy stems after the flowering season. Deadheading spent blooms can also encourage more flowering.

Pests & Diseases:

Honeywort is relatively pest-resistant but can occasionally attract aphids or spider mites. If pests appear, treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Honeywort is also resistant to most common diseases, though good air circulation is recommended to prevent mildew in damp conditions.

Companion Planting:

Pair Honeywort with other drought-tolerant plants, such as lavender, salvia, or echinacea, for a beautiful, pollinator-friendly garden. Its foliage also pairs well with ornamental grasses, succulents, and other Mediterranean plants.

Container Gardening:

Honeywort is a great choice for pots or hanging baskets, offering an attractive spillover of flowers and foliage. It looks especially stunning when combined with trailing plants in mixed containers.