Re: Invader

Hi Chantal -

Yes, it has been my experience that Lunaria is a modest, gentle invader, seldom becoming a problem and often welcomed as self-sown plants. Cutting the pods as they form is certainly a way to limit their spread. I especially like white flowered forms myself as they 'light up' the shady corners that the plant loves.

Most variegated plants do not come true from seed because the variegation usually occurs in only one sector of the plant tissue (Chimeras), and this tissue is not that which produces seeds. Sometimes variegation is due to 'random' switching on and off of genes (Transposoms) and, rarely, viruses (though this cause seems to get the most press!!), not of which breed true. The type of variegation that can breed true is Pattern Genes. This is when a mechanism in the plant causes genes to turn on of off during a certain phase of growth. The fact that this type of variegated Lunaria starts out all green and only later, in the flowering phase of this 'biennial' plant, become variegated (note Annies Annuals caution regarding this in their plant description).

There are both white and purple forms of this variegated 'Honesty', and each breeds true from seed. The flowers of the white form are a clear white, unlike its own variegation which is cream - a fact pointed out to me by a descerning client years ago when I helped her create a drought tolerant 'white garden' (she thought the flowers made the foliage look 'dirty' and ended up ripping them all out!).

Regards,
SeÃn O.
http://about.me/seanaohara


On Sun, Apr 3, 2011 at 12:03 AM, Chantal Guiraud <c*@modulonet.fr> wrote:
Dear Susan,

Yes, of course I want seeds for our exchange, because it is a gentle invader. And plants for shade are not so numerous. Annies' Annual say that they are true from seed, but I am not surprised by what you say, because variegation is rarely transmitted by seeds.
Thank you for the offer.Â

Chantal Guiraud
Mediterranean Garden Society Seed Coordinator
Montpellier, France

Le 2 avr. 11 Ã 20:26, Susan Bouchez a Ãcrit :

Here is information about Lunaria annua variegata, "money plant" from Annie's Annuals, a Bay Area nursery. As it says, I have found that it re-seeds easily but is easy to pull out where not wanted. Mine blooms with lavender flowers, not white.
Susan

Lunaria annuaÂ
'Variegata Albaâ
âVariegated Money Plantâ

Lunaria annua 'Variegata Albaâ âVariegated Money Plantâ Lunaria annua 'Variegata Albaâ âVariegated Money Plantâ

An absolutely elegant, fast growing plant for shade. The arching, heart-shaped leaves are beautifully green & white variegated, lighting up a shady area. This rare âMoney Plantâ also bears white blooms in late Spring or Summer followed by the well known translucent, silvery, flat seed pods, wonderful for dried arrangements. To 3â tall, it grows in sun or shade by the coast & shade inland. Drought tolerant, not fussy about soil, reseeds easily, coming true from seed. NOTE: PLANTS LOOK GREEN WHEN SMALL BUT TRUST ME, THEY WILL VARIEGATE AS THEY GROW OLDER!! Easy!

Annie




On Apr 2, 2011, at 9:32 AM, "William A. Grant" <g*@ebold.com> wrote:

Can someone tell me the name of this invading plant? Thanks. bill grant
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