Perennial Honesty is a plant of the cottage garden. Scented flowers reliably produced on this herbaceous member of the Cruciferae family. The plant of Lunaria rediviva in this image was grown from seed collected in Croatia on the Sljeme Mountain at 900m. Found growing throughout Central and Southern Europe where it seeds freely.

Here it is easily propagated by self sown seedlings that germinate freely, flowering in their second year. In seed, the almost round, papery seed pods do not fade as completely translucent and silvery as in the annual species, Lunaria annua. However in full bloom this perennial species more than compensates. There is an overall mauve colouration to the heads and the scent is delightful. As for the leaves the net veining is of exceptional quality and clarity, complemented by a serrated edge.

Lunaria rediviva

Lunaria rediviva

Lunaria rediviva seedlings

Lunaria rediviva seedlings