Family:	Boraginaceae
Genus:	Cerinthe
Species:	major
Cultivar:	‘Purpurascens’
Common name:	honeywort
Height:	0.6m
Spread:	0.5m
RHS AGM

Mediterranean in origin. Genus name derived from the Greek, meaning ‘waxflower’, as it was thought that bees took their wax from the flower. Common name ‘honeywort’ also refers to the plant’s attractiveness to bees.

A half-hardy annual grown for its fleshy glaucous foliage and unusual electric-blue flowers, which are borne throughout the season from late spring to autumn.

Leaves are ovoid, fleshy, glaucous and perfoliate, held alternately on the stems, which are pale, smooth and fleshy.

Flowers are held in terminal clusters; vivid violet tubular corollas are surrounded by leaf-like sepals which are flushed the same violet colour.

Needs a sheltered spot in full sun. Likes a decent soil, but with good drainage, so clay is not ideal unless it has been improved. Unfussy on acidity.

Makes a pretty edging plant for a cottage garden, associates well with most colours, but particularly vibrant pinks, such as Dahlia ‘Fascination’, or acid greens, such as alchemilla or euphorbia.

At Aston Walled Gardens, Cerinthe forms a carpet underneath a climbing rose, dotted with allium and perennial wallflowers.

A good choice for a wildlife garden, where it will self-seed around; has the happy combination of being loved by bees yet unappetising to slugs and snails.

Honeywort also makes an excellent cut-flower.