Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'

Sunset

Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens', photo courtesy of Annie's Annuals & Perennials

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Zones 1-24

Full, Partial

Moderate

Honeywort
Boraginaceae
Annuals, Flowers

Rising above clumps of fleshy, blue-green leaves, the purplish blue upper leaves and flower bracts of honeywort are what first attract gardeners to this Mediterranean native. Theymake the top of this 2-ft.-tallplant look as if it’s been dipped in blue dye. Bloom period runsfrom spring to fall. This is easyto grow from seed and evenself-sows without being invasive. In mild-winter climates, seedlings may appear in late summer and bloom the following spring, behaving like biennials or short-lived perennials. (The plain species, whose flowers have a 1-in.-long purple tube opening to a yellow interior, is rarely seen.)