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    • Photo of Cerinthe retorta flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Photo by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Cerinthe retorta

    Also Known As

    • Greek Cerinthe

    Plant type

    annual / biennial

    size

    • H: 24"-36"
    • W: 24"-36"

    planting zones

    • 1-11

    More Options

    Cerinthe retorta plant details

    Cerinthe retorta is a broadleaf deciduous annual / biennial with green, variegated and white foliage. In spring and summer purple and yellow flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular water. Does well in well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Cerinthe retorta

    Plant type: annual / biennial
    Plant family: boraginaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green, variegated and white
    Mature size: 24 IN - 36 IN - wide, 24 IN - 36 IN - tall
    Flowers: purple and yellow blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: border plant, container plant, cottage garden, easy-to-grow, rare, self-sowing

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Cerinthe retorta

    USDA Zones: 1 - 11
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: regular
    Soil needs: well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Supremely EASY and fast, anyone can grow this wildly unusual and very rare Grecian hardy annual. Presented in clusters curved like a shepherd’s hook, fascinating purple and yellow, two-toned, tubular blooms are clasped in dark purple bracts. Hundreds of clusters are well displayed atop branching stems and pleasing, soft green, oval leaves with white polka dots. Usually a Spring – Summer bloomer, but you can plant it year around in milder climates like ours, where it even blooms in Winter. Self-sows freely to return each Spring. Most bloomy in well-drained soil with some compost added. Cool in containers, too! Loved by bees!

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Gardening facts about Cerinthe retorta plant

    How to Grow Cerinthe retorta

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular

    • Soil Needs

      • well-drained

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • variegated
      • white
      • green

    • Flower Color

      • yellow
      • purple

    • Wildlife

      • bees

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    • Texture

      • glaucous

    See other plant types of Cerinthe for your garden

    Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'

    aka Cerinthe major 'Purpurescens', Blue Honeywort, Honeywort, Kiwi Flower, Pride of Gibralter

    Plant Type

    Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 1'-2'

    • sun
    • regular - low
    Photo of Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens' flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

    More Options

    Cerinthe major

    Plant Type

    Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 16"-24"

    Width: 16"-24"

    • sun - mostly shade
    • occasional - low
    Photo of Cerinthe major flower by Hans Hillewaert
    View Plant
    +2 more Cerinthe
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