The flowers of Lunaria bloom in the late spring and early summer, followed by
the round or oval one inch pods in the early fall. Plants can grow up to 3 feet
tall and have large coarsely toothed leaves.
To dry the seed pods for winter bouquets, gather them as soon as they start
to turn brown. They tend to rot during wet weather if allowed to ripen on the
plants. Rub off the outer parts of the pods to expose the central disks. Hang
upside down in dry, dark, well ventilated place to cure.
HOW TO GROW
Sow seed 1/4 inch deep. Will take from 10 to 14 days to
germinate. Sow indoors for early start or outside in midsummer to bloom the
Select an area in full sun or light shade. Plants will grow in almost any
soil that is well-drained. Space plants to stand 12 to 15 inches apart. Plants
usually multiply in the garden by sowing its own seed, often coming up year
after year without further care.
A biennial sometimes grown as an annual. If treated as an annual and sown in
the early spring, the plants will flower later in the spring but will never
become as large or as colorful as those grown as biennials.
Proper name: Lunaria annua
It seeds freely and can be slightly invasive in this climate...so caution gardeners. But, such a pretty weed!!