SongofJoy57
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 20 Oct 2007
Posts: 486
Location: Foothills of North Carolina Z = 7a & 7b (Map)
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject: Lunaria/Moneyplant/Honesty |
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Is a plant that is native first to Germany, and from there made its' way to England in the 1500s according to research. The Puritans brought them via seed to America.
Moneyplant is a biennial.
It grows leaves during the first year, and they are visable all winter.
The second year they flower. As you can see, mine have bloomed. This is the best year that I have had with them, and I just allowed them to self sow.
After the blooming season, these plants will make flat little seedpods which are green at first.
Later they will become transparent (similar to wax paper). They usually contain three to four seeds inside this transparent pod. I will document with more pictures once this happens. The sun beaming down on them causes them to shine like "silver dollars" (which is another name that they are called by.) They are also known as Judas' penny, honesty, moneyplant, and moonwart. The grands are very intrigued by their seedpods.
The seedpods are very pretty, and can be used for dried arrangements. One year I did this with blackberry lily stalks once they went to seed, and had a pretty arrangement to use all winter long.
Because they flower and bloom every other year, I am planning to save some seeds this year instead of allowing them all to self sow as I did last year. Then I will be assured to have flowers every year.
Last edited by SongofJoy57 on Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:38 pm; edited 1 time in total
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glendann
Official Garden Angel
Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 5697
Location: Texas (Map)
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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That is a marvelous plant.The bloom color is fantastic.
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Wrennie
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 21 Nov 2007
Posts: 406
Location: Catskill Mountains NY
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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I just got some seeds for this in a trade. I didnt know they were biennial. Glad I do now or I would have been wondering where the flowers were!
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Droopy
Slug Slaughterer
Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Posts: 2762
Location: Western Norway (Map)
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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It's an easy plant to grow too, and I think it's ideal for children's gardens. The first time I grew it we had to harvest the stalks when the green was still on it due to weather conditions. My, did we have a hard time cleaning the dried outer layer off to bring out those Judas' pennies inside!
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
 Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 9801
Location: Scotland (Map)
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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I love honesty and really must get around to planting some again. 
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petunia
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 13 May 2006
Posts: 1021
Location: northern michigan
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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Those are very pretty. I used to have all kinds of them when I lived more downstate. I brought up seed with me here but never started them. Hmm, Its been 3-4 years but maybe I'll see if they'll still start up using that baggy method. Another way of using them is to let them dry out and put them in a flower arrangement in a vase. It'll turn out really nice looking.
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Petunia
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Sjoerd
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 1118
Location: West - Friesland
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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These turned out good didn't they, SOJ? I am always happy when one blows-into the garden. The idea of letting them stay where ever they pop-up appeals to me alot.
We call them the same as you, Droopy.
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flowerpower313
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 56
Location: Catskill Mtns NY Z5
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| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:31 am Post subject: |
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| Wrennie wrote: | | I just got some seeds for this in a trade. I didnt know they were biennial. Glad I do now or I would have been wondering where the flowers were! |
You should plant them in late August or Sept for blooms next spring. And make sure you collect most of the seeds when they are dry. Each plant puts out ALOT of seeds.
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EJ
Allotmenteer Extraordinaire
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1072
Location: Essex
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CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 1128
Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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I was given a packet of moneyplant seeds, I'd forgotten they have such nice flowers! (I only plant purple or yellow flowers, so it's good to see the color!)
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Mary
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