Kiwi Blue Honeywort on a white background.
Bright pink, purple and blue hues of the Kiwi Blue Honeywort flowers contrast tastefully against the blue and green foliage.
Kiwi Blue Honeywort flowers with foliage showing tiny size by being held.
Kiwi Blue Honeywort flowers with foliage.
Bright pink, blue and purple Kiwi Blue Honeywort blooms and leaves on a dark slate background.
Kiwi Blue Honeywort on a white background.
Bright pink, purple and blue hues of the Kiwi Blue Honeywort flowers contrast tastefully against the blue and green foliage.
Kiwi Blue Honeywort flowers with foliage showing tiny size by being held.
Kiwi Blue Honeywort flowers with foliage.
Bright pink, blue and purple Kiwi Blue Honeywort blooms and leaves on a dark slate background.

Honeywort Seeds,
Kiwi Blue

4.335 ReviewsSKU: #FL277Min. seed count: 25
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Description

A recently ‘rediscovered’ ancient flower, grown in European gardens since the Middle Ages. This subtle stunner has cool silvery blue foliage and nodding indigo blooms. A relative of borage, each flower has a drop of ‘honey’ that is irresistible to pollinators. This lesser known foliage plant has recently been embraced by floral designers as a versatile foliage filler. It becomes an even deeper blue as cool weather sets in.

Growing Tips: Pre-soaking over-night aids germination. Sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after. Requires well-draining medium; keep moist but not saturated.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Cerinthe major purpurascens
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
5–21
Days to Maturity
70–84
Planting Depth
⅛ in.
Plant Spacing
12 in.
Ideal Temperature
65–75°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

Soak the seed overnight, then start it indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date and transplant out after frost — or direct seed outdoors once the last frost has passed. At an ideal germination temperature of 68 to 80 F, seeds germinate in 7 to 21 days. Kiwi Blue is not frost hardy. The foliage takes on an even deeper blue as cool weather sets in, and in frost-free climates the plants will reseed.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Soak seeds overnight to speed germination.
  • Seeds germinate in 7-21 days. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep.
  • Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before average last frost date and transplant out after frost or direct seed outdoors after last frost.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 68-80 F.

How to Grow

  • Plants prefer full sun to part shade and rich, well-drained soil.
  • Deadhead to promote continued blooming.
  • Space plants 10-18 inches apart.
  • Plants like regular water, but do not like to be soaked; 1" per week is recommended.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • To prevent slug infestations, surround the base of plants with diatomaceous earth or crushed eggshells.

How to Save Seeds

  • Will reseed in frost-free climates.
  • The seeds are explosively dehiscent and will propel themselves across the garden when dried.
  • To collect the large brown seeds, look for them on the ground near the plants or pick when just slightly immature and place in a paper bag where you can keep them contained when they explode.

FAQ

Does Kiwi Blue honeywort seed need soaking?

Soaking the seed overnight before planting speeds germination, which then takes 7 to 21 days.

Where should I plant Kiwi Blue, and how far apart?

Kiwi Blue prefers full sun to part shade and rich, well-drained soil, with plants spaced about 12 inches apart. It likes regular water but does not like to be soaked — about 1 inch per week is recommended.

How do I keep Kiwi Blue blooming, and how is it used as a cut flower?

Deadhead the plants to promote continued blooming. The silvery blue foliage and nodding indigo blooms have been embraced by floral designers as a versatile foliage filler. Each flower has a drop of ‘honey’ that is irresistible to pollinators.
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