Honeywort: A Mediterranean Beauty That’s Making Waves in North American Gardens
If you’re looking for something a little different to spice up your garden, let me introduce you to honeywort (Cerinthe major). This charming Mediterranean native has been quietly winning over gardeners with its unusual blue-purple flowers and striking blue-green foliage. While it might not be a household name yet, this annual-biennial forb is definitely worth getting to know.
What Exactly Is Honeywort?
Honeywort is a non-woody herbaceous plant that falls into the forb category – basically, it’s an annual or biennial flowering plant without the woody stems you’d find on shrubs or trees. Originally from the Mediterranean region, this plant has found its way to North America and has established itself in places like Quebec, where it now reproduces on its own in the wild.
The plant gets its common name from its appeal to bees and other pollinators, though honeywort might not roll off the tongue as easily as some flower names. You might also hear it called by its botanical name, Cerinthe major, especially in gardening circles.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
In North America, honeywort has been documented growing in Quebec, where it’s established itself as an introduced species. While it’s not native to our continent, it has proven it can thrive in our climate conditions.
Why Gardeners Are Falling for Honeywort
What makes honeywort special? It’s all about those eye-catching flowers and foliage. The plant produces clusters of tubular, deep blue-purple flowers that are beautifully complemented by blue-green bracts (modified leaves that surround the flowers). This unusual color combination is pretty rare in the plant world, making honeywort a real conversation starter in any garden.
The flowers aren’t just pretty to look at – they’re also fantastic for attracting pollinators, especially bees. Bumblebees and honeybees absolutely love this plant, making it a great choice if you’re trying to create a pollinator-friendly garden space.
Perfect Garden Roles for Honeywort
Honeywort works beautifully in several garden settings:
- Mediterranean-style gardens where its drought tolerance shines
- Cottage gardens for that relaxed, informal look
- Annual flower borders for seasonal color
- Cut flower gardens (those unique blooms look fantastic in bouquets)
- Pollinator gardens to support local bee populations
Growing Honeywort Successfully
The good news is that honeywort is pretty low-maintenance once you understand what it likes. Here’s what you need to know:
Light and Soil Requirements
Honeywort prefers full sun but can tolerate some partial shade. The key to success is well-draining soil – this Mediterranean native really doesn’t like wet feet. Once established, it’s quite drought tolerant, making it perfect for gardeners who prefer lower-maintenance plants.
Planting and Care Tips
- Direct sow seeds in spring after the last frost danger has passed
- The plant readily self-sows, so you might find volunteer seedlings appearing next season
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming throughout the growing season
- Water regularly during establishment, then reduce watering as the plant matures
- Generally pest and disease free
Hardiness and Seasonal Considerations
In most North American gardens, honeywort is grown as an annual. However, in milder climates (USDA zones 7-10), it may overwinter and act more like a biennial. In colder regions, treat it as a summer annual and enjoy its blooms from late spring through fall.
A Word About Native Alternatives
While honeywort is a lovely addition to gardens and isn’t considered invasive or problematic, it’s worth considering some native alternatives that can provide similar benefits to local ecosystems. Native plants like wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) or native asters can also provide excellent pollinator support while supporting local wildlife food webs.
The Bottom Line
Honeywort offers gardeners something genuinely different – unusual coloring, pollinator appeal, and easy care requirements. While it’s not native to North America, it’s not causing ecological problems either, making it a reasonable choice for gardeners who want to experiment with something new. Just remember that supporting native plants alongside interesting introduced species like honeywort gives you the best of both worlds: garden diversity and ecological responsibility.
Whether you’re drawn to its unique blue-purple flowers, its pollinator magnetism, or its Mediterranean charm, honeywort might just be the interesting addition your garden has been waiting for.
