Product Review

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 from10 to 14 days to germinate. Sow indoors for early start or outside in midsummer to bloom the following spring. 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