While it might be July, this is the time of year to think about making those stunning bouquets of Lunaria (aka Money Plant, Honesty Plant).Lunaria is a biennial that self sows itself quite nicely in my garden. It's actually one of the very few plants that I already found growing here when we first moved to this property.
In spring Lunaria has lovely purple blooms but now it has dingy brown seed heads.
The seed heads are actually three paper thin, translucent pieces. Only the two outermost layers are dingy in color.
If you gently rub your thumb and forefinger back and forth over the seed head the outer sheath will slide right off, exposing the seeds. There are seeds on both the front and back so make sure you get them all.
After you've removed both outer sides and collected the seeds you are left with a wonderfully luminous pod.
This photo was taken two years ago. It's so simple to just gather up a bunch of dried Lunaria stalks and put them in a vase for a flower arrangement.The reason for my title "Christmas in July"? These arrangements will hold for a long time and look lovely with your holiday decorations.
For a similar post with more information you can visit me at Old Country Gardens and type in Lunaria in the search bar at the top.
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i saw this plant a few weeks ago while i was out walking around, and i wondered if it was called money plant. i couldn't get a good photo because it was so windy on that occasion. your shots are much better than mine would have been !
ReplyDeleteThanks for this info! I want to find some of these seeds!
ReplyDeleteI just joined your blog as a follower. Visit my blog at: http://wwwjarvishouse.blogspot.com/ I have lived on Park Avenue for 35+ years, and have one of the old houses. My garden in usually in a swamp so I don't have sprinklers. Everything is browned out but it will come back. I have a 12 month garden and a lot of really interesting shrubs. I'd like to learn more about perennials. Cheers Lori
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful. Thanks for sharing them us and showing us how to make them look great. Your pictures are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip .. I did not know how to do that .. love these flowers look my friend from Philipines uses these in all her home decor.
ReplyDeleteSara
http://www.momentsofelegance.com
Although the flowers are nothing to look at in the first place, but with your deft flower arrangement skill they look fabulous on that table!
ReplyDeleteI love flowers. In my garden i have many different flowers and i like them in the morning when they are fresh and nice!
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous! I have learned so much exploring your blog!
ReplyDeletethis plant a few weeks ago while I was walking around and I was wondering if it was called the money plant. I could not get a good image because it was so windy at that time. your photos are much better than mine was!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I just became one of your followers. It's a small world-come over and visit me at http://landscapedesignbylee.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI am a fellow Long Islander!
Hi! Very nice post!
ReplyDeletei really love the pictures
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful images - thank you!
ReplyDeleteI just happened by your blog. I once had the money plant growing here, but I don't have any now.
ReplyDeleteMy om used to grow these. She called them silver dollars. She used to get so mad at me for picking the purple flowers.
ReplyDeleteYour empty pod bouquet is lovely... maybe if I'd have listened to my mom I'd be able to do the same thing with hers, but alas, they're all gone.. Thanks for a little trip down memory lane :)