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Annual Biennial

Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

honeywort 'Purpurascens'

A popular, upright annual or occasionally biennial, to 60cm in height, with blue-green leaves lightly spotted white, and tubular deep purple flowers, sometimes tipped yellow, with conspicuous purple bracts, flowering in spring and summer

Synonyms
Cerinthe major var. purpurescens
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer Purple Yellow Blue Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Boraginaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Cerinthe can be annuals, biennials or perennials, with simple, often greyish leaves and tubular flowers borne in a pendent terminal cluster with conspicuous bracts

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a well-drained, fertile soil in a sheltered position in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in gentle heat in spring, plant out when the danger of frost has passed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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