Honeywort 'Yellow Candy'

While 'Purpurascens' is the most common variety, 'Yellow Candy' offers a bright, unusual alternative for the UK collector. This Honeywort features the same glaucous, blue-green, waxy foliage that appears almost succulent, but its nodding, bell-like flowers are a striking sulphur-yellow with a maroon ring at the base. It reaches a height of about 45-60cm and has a somewhat sprawling, architectural habit. It is an exceptionally good plant for bees, which are frequently seen disappearing inside the bells. In the UK, it is a hardy annual that often behaves as a short-lived perennial in mild southern areas, but it is best grown from fresh seed each year. Sowing can be done in autumn for earlier flowers or in spring. It prefers a position in full sun and well-drained soil. The seeds are large and easy to handle, and the plant will often self-seed in a polite manner, appearing in the same spot the following year without becoming invasive.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained loam or sand.

Hardiness: H3 — down to −5°C.

Flowering: May, Jun, Jul, Aug.