A vigorous Mediterranean half-hardy annual, cerinthe seems happiest in full sun on the gravel path. Last year it was seeded and grown in a container and did well until mid-summer when it had exhausted its soil and became too large and thirsty to thrive on being watered every other day. If you are willing to take more care with it, it would make a very good pot plant for a full sun spot

A bit boring at a distance, in detail it has thick, mottled, blue-green leaves. Its nectar-rich, purple bell flowers are small but attract bees and hummingbirds. The plant pictured was a volunteer that sprouted about 6 months ago, in October.

As the weeks progress, cerinthe will show its true colors. The leaves that clasp the flowers will begin to darken. First they will change from a blue-green to a fleshy purple not unlike the color of a bruise until they finally mature to an unadulterated blue. I've never seen anything else quite like it. I'll be sure to add updated illustrations as this plant matures, so you can see what you think of it.

April: The volunteer plant in the path is now about 4' across and 18" high. The stems are getting a little leggy and beginning to flop over a bit. If I were using it in a border, I would plant a lower, leafy plant in front of it to hide what I bet are going to be scruffy lower stems.

There's also some yellowing in the lower leaves. It could be natural aging or it could be it has finally exhausted the unimproved clay soil it sprouted in and is showing signs of nitrogen deficiency. Though I've been letting it grow untouched, I may feed it a bit and see what happens.

It's still beautiful though. The purple bracts are now dark and plentiful enough to be seen from a distance and two zealous hummingbirds consider it their personal lunchbox.

Young honeywort plant form Feb '98

Text and images Copyright 1998 Cyndi Kirkpatrick. All rights reserved