Botanical name: Lunaria annua 
Folk names: Moonpennies, money plant

Type: Biennial

Wildlife: Caterpillar food plant of green-veined white and orange-tip butterflies. Both lay one egg per plant where plants are growing lushly in damp, sheltered parts of the garden. Both would be a rare sighting in city gardens but you never know! Importantly, a spring nectar source for these butterflies, as well as bees and moths.

Flowers: April to June

Decorative merit: Purple, occasionally white, flowers similar to sweet rocket, in large clusters above toothed, heart-shaped leaves. Flat, round, silvery seed pods follow to provide winter interest or use for indoor display. Grows up to 100cm tall.

Where: Sun or part-shade. Middle of borders, wilder corners or try in spring containers.  

Folklore: In the language of flowers, the plant represents honesty, money, and sincerity. Considered to be protective.  Used in spells for prosperity, with the flat seed pods resembling coins. In the earliest surviving recipe for a flying ointment! Lunaria should be picked on the lunar day of Monday.

Cabbage family relative of lady’s smock, sweet rocket and ‘bowles mauve’ wallflower.

Seeds to Exeter Seed Bank