Introduction

Honeywort (Cerinthe major) is a beautiful and unique flowering plant that is prized by gardeners for its long-lasting blue or purple flowers and attractive silver-green foliage. Often grown as an annual, this hardy plant is easy to grow and makes a great addition to flower beds, borders, and containers.

Though honeywort may not be as well known as some other garden flowers, it has an interesting history and some surprising facts about it that are worth learning. Read on for 12 fascinating facts about this delightful plant.

1. Its Genus Name Comes from a Mythical Character

The genus name for honeywort, Cerinthe, comes from a minor goddess in Greek mythology named Cerinthus. She was a naiad (a type of water nymph) who fell in love with a human and was subsequently turned into the cerinthe plant by the other gods. This mythological connection gives this plant’s name a whimsical and romantic background.

2. Honeywort Was Used as an Herbal Medicine

In ancient times, honeywort was used as a medicinal herb to treat ailments like jaundice and other liver issues. The plant was thought to help stimulate bile production and liver function. Modern research has shown honeywort does indeed have hepatoprotective effects that help protect liver tissue.

3. Its Common Name Refers to Bees

One of the common names for honeywort is “bee-bread.” This name comes from the fact that bees are highly attracted to the nectar-rich flowers of the honeywort plant. The blue or purple blossoms produce copious amounts of nectar that bees love.

4. Honeywort Has Nectar Spurs

The flowers of the honeywort plant have special structures called nectar spurs which hold pools of sugary nectar that attract pollinators. These elongated tubular spurs are located at the back of the flower and can only be accessed by certain insects like bees that have mouthparts long enough to reach the nectar reward inside.

5. It Was Once Known as a Cure for Snakebite

Folklore once held that honeywort was an effective cure against venomous snake bites. The plant was applied topically or ingested to counteract snake venom. Modern medicine has not upheld honeywort as an antidote for snakebite poisoning, but the plant’s history of use reveals how highly it was once prized for its purported medicinal virtues.

6. Honeywort Has Showy Seedpods

After the flowers fade away, honeywort produces attractive lantern-shaped seed capsules that remain on the stems for months, adding architectural interest to the winter garden. These elongated seedpods split open when ripe, revealing small brown seeds inside. The eye-catching pods extend the seasonal interest of this plant.

7. It’s Easy to Grow from Seed

One reason honeywort is such a popular garden flower is that it germinates readily from seed sown early indoors or directly outdoors after the last frost. The small seeds need light to germinate, so they should be just pressed onto the soil surface when sowing. This makes starting honeywort from seed an easy gardening project.

8. Honeywort Does Well in Poor Soil

An adaptable plant, honeywort thrives in less than ideal conditions that would cause other flowers to struggle. It actually prefers poor, sandy soil and requires very little supplemental feeding. This tough nature means honeywort is an ideal choice for gardeners dealing with difficult soils.

9. Deer and Rabbits Avoid Eating It

Gardeners plagued by deer, rabbits, and other wildlife nibbling on their flower beds will be happy to know that honeywort is rarely damaged by these hungry pests. It contains bitter compounds that make it unpalatable to animals. This “deer-resistant” trait makes it a smart addition to gardens prone to animal invasion.

10. Honeywort Attracts Beneficial Insects

In addition to being a bee magnet, honeywort also lures in other beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies. These good bugs help control garden pests and pollinate other plants. By attracting these helpers, honeywort serves as a way to naturally boost the health of the whole garden ecosystem.

11. It Has a Long Bloom Period

Unlike some flowers that only last a week or two, honeywort has an exceptionally long bloom time. The pretty bell-shaped flowers open in late spring or early summer and continue blooming for up to three months. Deadheading spent blooms encourages more flower production and extends the display.

12. There Are Dwarf Varieties Available

While the species honeywort grows 24 to 36 inches tall, there are also shorter, more compact cultivars available. These dwarf varieties reach just 8 to 18 inches in height, making them a good choice for rock gardens and container plantings. ‘Blue Dwarf’ is a popular dwarf honeywort with vivid violet-blue blooms.

Conclusion

With its vibrant blossoms, carefree growth habit, and multitude of pollinator partners, it’s easy to see why honeywort has earned itself a place in many flower gardens. This visually striking plant punches above its weight when it comes to toughness, adaptability, and non-stop color. Whether grown in beds, borders or pots, honeywort is one of those unsung garden heroes that deserves more widespread appreciation.