Cerinthe major - 'purpurascens' is a half hardy annual with unusual oval, fleshy blue-green leaves, mottled with white, and rich purple-blue, tubular flowers held inside sea blue bracts.
They grow to around 500mm (18") high with a similar spread.
It is a useful plant for attracting bees into the garden.
It is a prolific self seeder so deadhead regulary if you do not want it multiplying every year.
|
 |
Allow a few seedheads to dry off then collect them and store for future use!
Cultivation;
Week 14; Sow seeds in pots/trays of seed compost and germinate at 18°-20°C (64°-68°F)
Germination should take about a week.
Week 16; When seedlings are large enough to handle prick out into trays/boxes of potting compost and grow on at 10°- 12°C (50°-54°F) for a week to ten days, then place in a coldframe to harden off until planting out time.
Week 22; Plant out 300m (12") apart in a sunny position in any fertile garden soil.
