Lunaria Species, Money Plant, Honesty, Bolbonac, Moonwort, Silver Dollar

On May 19, 2014, LanfrancoLeo from Harrisburg, PA wrote:

Very nice plant for a early-mid spring blooming garden!
It is a true biennial plant, that can handle very well winter here in Harrisburg PA (area 7). Bloom profusely for more than 3 weeks, with a slightly - almost nonexistent scent. During the first year I gave a great amount of nitrogen that allows to develop a huge cluster of flower this year. The following pods are pretty interesting. I will definitively replant next year and hope that some spontaneous self-saw volunteer appear in the right place of my garden. I have to mention that in some neglected garden tend to naturalize, but since its biennial habit and the easy -to-detect seedpods I do not believe is that difficult to keep under control especially in a small garden.

On Aug 16, 2011, HydroPinke from Burien, WA (Zone 7b) wrote:

I came across this plant in seed form on a bank owned lot, I had to grab a few of those seed pods. Now that I know what it is I am still excited to grow some, but am wondering about the comment saying it's invasive. Can you verify this claim? I can't find information about this being a problem here in king county Washington.

That patches I saw were quite small, didn't look very invasive. It's my experience that plants who want to be invasive here don't have trouble doing so with all the rain here.

On Mar 29, 2011, seattleboo from Seattle, WA wrote:

Like many who have commented, I have fond memories of the charms of Lunaria as a child. However, I now understand that it is a serious invasive plant here in the NW (I live in Seattle) that actively displaces natives and discourages diversity in local greenbelts. Yes, it is easy and re-seeds readily. That's the problem. No one, at least around here, should actively cultivate Lunaria. Along with another herbaceous invasive, Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Money Plant should be removed wherever encountered. There are too many great plants to be encouraging a trouble maker like Lunaria. Take a minute to read about invasives in your area, it may change your thinking.

On Apr 28, 2010, J_and_J from Tacoma, WA wrote:

Summer 2009 volunteer in alley turned from silver/white seed heads to INTENSE magenta! Husband picked and brought indoors to me. Later others nearby turned same color and I collected a stunning bouquet. These volunteers have been in alley for many years but never developed this striking color.

TO THE OTHER TACOMA GROWER: Do you think the unusual color was due to the crazy weather we experienced last year?

Some bouquet color has dissipated over the year it has sat infront of a window so I have collected and scattered seeds in hopes of a repeat of '09 color. . .or just silver/white pods are nice too.

On Sep 5, 2009, caroleigh from Ocean Springs, MS wrote:

These plants were grown in my mother's garden in McLean N.Y.. They make wonderful and striking bouquets. I am now attempting to grow them here in the deep South near Biloxi Mississippi. I will scatter the seeds and see what happens in the spring, and will report back next year 2010. Carol Tucker, Vancleave Mississippi

On Apr 18, 2008, gray_53 from Mcdonough, GA wrote:

Mine are strictly annuals (unless they are secretly regenerating from the roots). The flowers are a deep purple. If you didn't already know, the seeds germinate very well when you simply scatter them on the ground in zone 7b. I don't have much else to add.

On Sep 25, 2007, mbkijb from Buffalo, NY wrote:

I have these silver dollar plants taking over in my front yard in Lackawanna, NY, an outskirt of Buffalo. I want to put them in the back of my front garden and have them as a nice back drop to a bunch of spring bulbs I purchased just recently. When they seeded, they must have blown against my pave stones because they are taking over the front part of my garden, but they are so tall, they will block everything else I want in there.

On Mar 31, 2007, girlndocs from Tacoma, WA wrote:

This is one of my very favorite flowers. It self-sows, even in dry shade, obligingly but not thuggishly. It also does the favor of fading into the background shortly after its bloom, except for those beautiful seed heads.

I like it in early bouquets with blue scilla and daylily leaves.

On Jan 19, 2007, bluespiral from (Zone 7a) wrote:

Last spring, I visited an elegant garden with one section that consisted of two matching flower borders facing each other across a wide grassy path and with trellises all along the backs of both sides with climbing roses and clematis not yet blooming. What was blooming were repeated clumps of the very double, blowsy, white Festiva Maxima peony paired with lilac flowers of lunaria - unforgettable.

My own garden has several adversarial issues, including limited space, a monster silver maple encroaching on my flowers, occasional droughts and dry spells - and critters - woodchucks, rabbits and occasional deer that manage to bust through the fence. The toughness and beauty of this plant triumphs over all.

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A frie... read morend of mine just asked me for advice on how to germinate Lunaria annua seeds, here's advice from the 2nd edition of Norman C. Deno's book, "Seed Germination Theory and Practice" mixed with my own experience.

When I first bought the seed, I sowed it indoors 30 days before last frost around April 1 in cell packs which were covered in transparent Saran wrap (light is needed) and then put them outdoors as soon as they germinated - minus the plastic. I like to time that technique so that seedlings can go right outdoors around the time of last frost (in mid-April) or later for the extra aeration they need to avoid damp-off fungus.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, according to Deno, one reason my seeds successfully germinated might have been the fact that dry-storing Lunaria annua seeds for 6 months enables them to germinate better at both 70*F and 40*F. So, when I received seeds that winter, I also could have wintersown them or direct sown them the following fall. Both of these techniques are much more fool-proof against damping-off fungus problems with germinating seeds than the first technique.

A couple of notes regarding the above:

-- When sowing seeds in pots under plastic, do it indoors under cool types of fluorescents or gro-lites, because direct sun or other types of lights will cook the seeds under the plastic.

-- According to HillGardens.com Lunaria annua seed can be viable for 2 - 3 years when stored under optimum conditions.

-- If all fails, find someone on DG who is already growing this plant, and around July, ask them if they'll send you a branch or some pods after they completely ripened and turned brown. Seed collected while still partially green doesn't germinate as well.

On Aug 18, 2005, diwill from Wheeling, WV wrote:

These were growing around my house already when I moved in some 13 years ago and, despite my crafts friends coming up to collect the seed pods, the plant continues on and comes up in random patches every year - very hardy and prolific! I had organized a planting in a prepared bed, they were doing very well until my sweet husband mowed them down. Still, I'll start over with seeds from all the plants in the woods. (Fencing is in order for next spring) Exceptional height, color and fragrance.

On May 17, 2004, pungo from Norfolk, VA wrote:

The first year I got some purple seeds from a friend, only a few plants came up, but they were purple. The next year I opened the dried seed pods and cast the seeds, but every single plant but one was completely white! Since then I have bought 2 packages of "purple" seeds and they always come out white no matter what. They are prolific growers in my yard and even grow in the grass, but I want PURPLE ones.

On May 16, 2004, verdiway from Clarkston, GA wrote:

Extremely hardy plant in both my shade and sunny gardens here in Atlanta. In fact, it's about to take over in some places. Lovely flourescent blooms at sunset. I recommend these plants for those spots where nothing else wants to grow.

On Apr 14, 2004, herbman75 from Cornelia, GA wrote:

Reliable re-seeder for zone 7b. Tough as nails here in north Georgia. Have witnessed plants growing in cracks in my grandmothers brick patio. Just toss a handful of seed in a corner of the garden and watch them go!

On Aug 15, 2003, Minette from Ottawa ontario,
Canada wrote:

I recently found out about this plant, when my sister (a plant fanatic) went for a walk down her street and came home with a cutting of this plant. We didn't know what it was but I wanted it real bad, so she gave it to me...hehe.

I just love it and I wanted more. To our surprise, the woman across the street from her is growing many Silver dollar plants. She was sweet enough to give me some seeds and a few cuttings, but didnt want to part with anymore... She showed me how the leaves come apart to reveal a beautiful silk like coin. Her hubby came walking up in front of me with a bouquet of Silver Dollars already peeled - WOWWWWWW...BEAUTFUL!

On Jul 25, 2003, vagardener from Springfield, VA wrote:

It was planted in a perennial border garden a year ago in early summer and did not bloom. It returned this year and provided some nice early color and foliage. It is establishing nicely in partial shade. I did not harvest the seed pods, because I liked how the silver contrasts against the taller perennials.

On Aug 9, 2001, Terry from Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) wrote:

This plant's common name comes from the dried fruit, called silicles. When dried, the green outer covering peels off to reveal the silvery translucent "silver dollars."

Technically a biennial, it may live for 2-3 years; can become weedy.