Cerinthe major ‘Purpurescens’

‘Kiwi Blue’

KIWI BLUE HONEYWORT

Cerinthe major ‘Purpurescens’ ‘Kiwi Blue’
KIWI BLUE HONEYWORT

Cerinthe major ‘Purpurescens’ ‘Kiwi Blue’ is like the beautiful Cerinthe we all love, but on steroids with the colour dialled up.

Bigger, bluer & even more gorgeous flowers & foliage

‘Kiwi Blue’ has bigger bells, with even more intense blue colouring in the blue-violet flowers.
Plus the blue extends down the stems and flushes across the lovely sea-blue-silvery leaves like blue smoke.
Cerinthe major ‘Purpurescens’ ‘Kiwi Blue’ is a sensation of shades of blue.

Kiwi Blue bells nod away all summer & autumn

Clusters of rich, deep blue-purple bells nod away on top all summer and autumn, after beginning in the spring.
Once these lovely plants are established in the garden they will produce a succession of self-sown volunteers through the warm seasons, and again each year, with no further help from you.

A colour sensation of blue smoke & sea green 

The whole ensemble of Cerinthe major ‘Purpurescens’ ‘Kiwi Blue’ is a colour sensation that should not be missed.
Flowers and foliage both have a waxy, lustrous texture.
While the unique blue-violet flowers and smoky blue-sea-green foliage, make a perfect contrast to other more drab garden companions.
Cerinthe is a traditional underplanting for roses, as the waves of smoky foliage disguise the knobbly rose knees and frame the rose bloom colours perfectly.

“Once seen-must have”

Cerinthe is a “Once seen-must-have” situation.
It is one of the most coveted plants by visitors in our garden.

Reliable and always there

Fortunately once you have Cerinthe – you need never be without it.
This self seeding annual reliably self seeds, yet is not invasive.
It will happily pop around between the roses or fill in the gaps in your flower beds.

Cut stems till winter for lovely vases of flowers

The strong waxy stems are perfect for cut flowers, and last long in your vase.
Prepare the cut flowers by singeing the ends with a match flame, or dipping in hot water, before putting in the cool vase water.

Revels in heat & dry

Kiwi Blue Honeywort revels in sun.
As a native of Greece and Italy, it relishes summer heat, and takes periods of dry in its stride.

Grow it lean & mean

Cerinthe is best grown a little lean and mean.
Then it produces the most flowers and most dazzling foliage colours.

Do not over feed or over water

But with too much fertilizer, and abundant water – Cerinthe will make growth at the expense of flowers, and the colours will be a little muted.
So treat it mean to be kind.

Not fussy & copes with salt

Cerinthe major ‘Purpurescens’ ‘Kiwi Blue’ can also tolerate Part Shade if needed.
It is happy in any well drained soil, including sandy soils and average garden soil.
Plus it is highly prized for seaside gardens, as the waxy texture resists salt.
However it will not ever tolerate being waterlogged or boggy.

A water-wise choice

So normal average garden watering is bliss for a Cerinthe major ‘Purpurescens’.
It bounces away in either acid or alkaline lime soils, and really appreciates a dressing of lime when you do the roses.

Low maintenance plus pest & disease free

Cerinthe major ‘Purpurescens’ ‘Kiwi Blue’ is a jaunty grower that is generally pest and disease free.

45cm. High with arching stems of rich blue-violet flowers x 60cm Wide of sea blue-jade-silvery leaves.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suits beginners & gardening with kids

Sow seeds of Cerinthe major ‘Purpurescens’ ‘Kiwi Blue’ in either autumn-early winter / or in late winter-spring.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants:
First soak the seeds overnight in warm water that has been previously boiled and allowed to cool down to warm.
This will help to soften the hard seed coating and promote rapid germination.

Then sow the seeds into individual pots of good quality seed raising mix.
Now cover the seeds with approx. 5mm of sieved mix / grit / washed sand.

And water the sown pots well.
Then place in a warm position, or on a heat heat mat if you have one.
However a warm, well lit corner or window sill is fine (not in direct sun) because these seeds are easy to germinate.

Temperatures of 15-20°C are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.
And continue to keep the pots moist.
Then germination takes 14-28 days approx.

Or scatter the seeds directly in the garden: In August / September the seed can also be sown directly where it is to flower.

Seed Count: 5 seeds per pack approx. (Seeds of this superior Cerinthe are scarce at the moment)

GROWING: Cerinthe major ‘Purpurescens’ ‘Kiwi Blue’

Height with flowers: 60cm. approx.
Width: Arching 45cm. They look great massed.
Position: Full Sun or Partial Shade.
Soil: Not fussy.

Other benefits

Frost: Hardy in even severe frosts. Although the parent plant dies away in the frost, the seedling babies grow during the winter ready to put on their colourful show as the season warms.
Growth: A very reliable self seeding annual. So the crop of babies will pop up around the parent. Yiu can prevent self-seeding by cutting down before the plants go to seed.
Bees & Birds: Bees, butterflies and small honey-eating birds are besotted by the dangling bells and their abundant nectar.

Easy low care

Care: Very easy and low maintenance. So you can weed out the spent plants after they have dropped their seed and that is about it!
Deer & Rabbit resistant: Sadly not immune to nibbles, but Cerinthe will always start from seed again if the parent plants do happen to get eaten.
Origin: Native to southern Italy and Greece, where it grows in open areas, including rocky outcrops.
Myths & Legends: The name Cerinthe comes from the Greek word “keros” for wax and “anthos” for flower, since traditional village beekeepers thought their bees got wax for their hives from the flowers.

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