The deep shade of racy offered by this Mediterranean annual are uncommon in the flora world .
Unlike other plants with uncommon but short - live unfeigned blue efflorescence , the bract ofhoneyworthold their colour for weeks . The foliage ofthis Mediterranean indigene is also unusual . Most plants in the tailwort kinsfolk have exceptionally hairy leafage , whereas honeyworts only have stray hair here and there . The leaves are thick and waxy in an attractive gray - greenish color . Honeywort is hardy in Zones 7 - 10 .
Because honeywort is mainly seeded player - grown , there ’s quite a bit of variability in flower gloss . Most honeywort bloom are purple to blue , but you may derive across cream - colored and even yellow variety .
Credit: David Speer
Where to Plant Honeywort
For the most vibrant - colorize honeywort , full sunis best but the works abide easy shade . They prefer rich , well - drained soil but are n’t fussy . Honeywort calculate good in borders where the grey - green foliage render a pretty backdrop for other flowering groundcover with vibrant colours .
How and When to Plant Honeywort
Honeywort is usually uncommitted as germ and less commonly as potted industrial plant . Start the seeds indoors4 to 6 week before thelast average frost date in your areaor direct sow the germ after the last frost . Cover the come with 1/4 column inch of soil and keep the grease moist but not saturate . At a temperature between 65 ° F and 75 ° F , the seeds germinate within 5 to 21 Day .
After the last frost , transpose the seedlings outdoors 12 to 18 inches asunder .
Honeywort Care Tips
Light
In full Lord’s Day for at least 5 to 6 60 minutes a day , honeywort produces the most acute blue - tinge bract . In too much shade , the plant tends to become leggy .
Soil and Water
Honeywort suffer various soil conditions , create it an prosperous - to - grow plant . Ideally , it prefers filth racy in humus and organic issue with a slenderly acidulous to neutral soil(pH 5.8 to 7.1 ) . The soil should hold a decent amount of moisture while also being well - drain to prevent potential rot problems .
Once established , honeywort withstands the episodic drought , but supplemental lacrimation is good .
Temperature and Humidity
The optimal temperature for honeywort is between 65ºF and 75º but will do all right in temperature above and below . However , it wo n’t outlast rime . The industrial plant originate best in restrained humidness .
Fertilizer
fecundate container - grow honeywort once a month with aliquid all - aim fertilizeraccording to product recording label instructions . In the garden , fertilizer is n’t necessary ; instead , amend the soil with compost when establish .
Pruning
Honeywort does n’t need clip . For a neater appearance , just move out yellowing or beat leaves .
Potting and Repotting Honeywort
Honeywort grows well in pots . Choose one with fair to middling drain to prevent root rot . When growing honeywort in container , use a cosmopolitan - purpose potting intermixture ; the plant will require regular lacrimation when develop in a tidy sum , peculiarly during warm summer weather .
As honeywort is an annual , repotting is n’t necessary .
Pests and Problems
Other than the commongarden plague , such as aphids , slug , and snails , honeywort does n’t have any serious problems .
How to Propagate Honeywort
Honeywort is propagated from seeds as described above underHow and When to Plant Honeywort .
Types of Honeywort
‘Kiwi Blue’ Honeywort
Kiwi Blue ( Cerinthe majorsubsp.purpurascens"Kiwi Blue " ) has bluer bract than other variety . The foliage is argent - blue .
‘Purple Belle’ Honeywort
One of the most pop varieties , C. majorsubsp.purpurascens’Purple Belle ' grows magenta Vanessa Stephen - shaped bracts over gentle - gray leaves . It ego - seeds promptly .
‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Honeywort
nod clusters of blue bracts on graceful gray - green stems make unique additions to abridge flower posy . The seeds of Pride of Gibralter ( C. major’Pride of Gibralter ) are quite large and are thus planted deep than the specie , about 3/4 in deep .
Honeywort Companion Plants
Angelonia
Angeloniais also call summertime snapdragon . It has salvia - like blossom steeple that reach 1 or 2 feet gamey , and the plants are studded with snapdragon - like flowers with colorations in purple , lily-white , or pinkish . It ’s the perfect alternative for adding bright color to hot , gay space . Keep an eye out for the sweetly perfumed selections . While most gardeners treat angelonia as an yearly , it is a tough perennial in warm climates . Or , if you have a bright , sunny spot indoors , you could even keep it flowering all winter . Zones 9 - 10
Coral Bells
Previously relish chiefly for their spires of dainty reddish flower , coral bellsare now grown as much for the unusual mottling and veining of different - color leaves . The modest clustering of long - stem evergreen or semi - evergreen lobed foliage make coralbells good groundcover works . Zones 3 - 9
Lamb’s Ear
Lamb ’s earis a top pick for a groundcover in a hot , adust office . Its silver - felted foliage quickly spring a dense mat . It also contrasts nicely with other foliage and most flower . However , depending on the eccentric and your growing conditions , it may self - sow freely to the decimal point of becoming a trouble . In blistering , humid climates , lamb ’s ear may " melt down " in summer , becoming brown and limp . Zones 4 - 9
Frequently Asked Questions
Honeywort draw pollinator with its ambrosia - deep flowers . It is deer - resistive .
These white spots are natural and nothing to worry about . As the plant grows and matures , the white mottling fades .
Credit: David Speer
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Stephen Cridland
