The white and purple umbrella panicle flowers are pretty to look at and pamper us with an alluring scent. Of course, the silver leaf makes us wait until autumn for its astonishing feat. Then the pods unfold into silvery, shimmering, delicate leaves that lend floral magic to every dried bouquet. How to properly plant and care for the biennial or perennial Lunaria is revealed in the following answers to frequently asked questions.

In summer it bears delicate flowers, in autumn it inspires with silvery leaves: the silver leaf

Plant silver leaf correctly

Only plant a garden silver leaf that has been grown behind glass in the bed when there is no longer any fear of ground frost. Ideally, the plant has been able to harden off on the partially shaded balcony during the day for the previous 2-3 weeks in order to stay on the windowsill at night. Enrich the soil with compost and horn shavings (32.93€) before planting the Judas Silberling while maintaining the previous planting depth. Then water generously and mulch with leaves.

care tips

No gardening stumbling blocks are hidden in the uncomplicated care program. It's so easy:

  • Water Silberblatt regularly and extensively without causing waterlogging
  • Fertilize every 2-3 weeks from April to August with compost, horn shavings or liquid fertilizer
  • Cleaning the withered flowers prevents the decorative silver coins in autumn

The rhizome completely absorbs the green parts of the plant during the winter. Cut them off close to the ground in early spring so that the fresh shoots can sprout unhindered.
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Which location is suitable?

The silver leaf feels at home in a semi-shady to shady location, preferably under the protection of deciduous trees. The enchanting Lunaria prefers nutrient-rich, fresh to moist soil, because in the wild the plant thrives in ravines near streams, rivers and waterfalls.

What soil does the plant need?

The silver leaf likes to stretch out its roots in common garden soil. The rustic flower is tolerant of poor soil. In nutrient-rich, fresh, moist and humus-rich soil, the cruciferous plant finds the ideal conditions for a luxuriant abundance of flowers, which culminates in the hoped-for parchment-delicate, silvery pod leaves.

When is flowering time?

Look forward to a long flowering period from April to July. Of course, this is only considered the floral start-up time for the obvious spectacle that the flower puts on with its seed heads. Therefore, do not cut off the withered flowers, otherwise you will rob yourself of the decorative silver coins in autumn.

Cut silver leaf correctly

In autumn, the above-ground parts of the plant die off completely. The finger-shaped tubers overwinter in the ground, from which both the biennial and the perennial Lunaria sprout in spring. A cut is only necessary if the dead shoots and leaves spoil the appearance of the garden. The extent to which you cut off the withered flowers during the year is your individual decision. With each withered flower, remove the pods, which unfold into decorative silver thalers in the course of autumn.
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Pour silver leaf

The silver leaf is a thirsty fellow that does not tolerate drought. Therefore, water regularly and extensively without causing waterlogging. The sunnier the location, the more often the watering can is used. In the pot, this can be necessary every day on warm summer days.

Fertilize silver leaf properly

With regular fertilization, you can get the garden silver leaf in the right mood for a rich costume of decorative autumn decorations. From April to August, work a portion of compost with horn shavings into the soil every 3 weeks and water again. Alternatively, apply a slow-release nitrogen-rich fertilizer in April and June. In pot culture we recommend the 14-day administration of liquid fertilizer.

hibernate

The silver leaf is completely hardy. No precautions need to be taken in the bed, as the above-ground parts of the plant die off and only the root ball overwinters in the ground. In the pot, on the other hand, there is a risk that the roots will freeze due to the exposed position behind the thin container walls. So wrap the bucket or flower box (€16.99) with jute ribbons, fleece or bubble wrap and slide a block of wood underneath.

Grow silver leaf

The silver leaf can be easily multiplied by sowing. Since these are cold germs, sow the seeds directly into the bed in August/September in a semi-shady to shady location. How to do it right:

  • Cultivate a finely crumbly seedbed, free from weeds, roots and stones
  • Put the seeds 1-2 cm deep into the soil at a distance of 20-30 cm and sift thinly with sand
  • Moisten the bed with a fine spray and cover it with a close-meshed protective net

Alternatively, you can propagate a perennial silver leaf species, such as Lunaria rediviva, by division. To do this, dig up the rhizome in autumn or spring to cut off 5 cm long root pieces. Plant them directly in the ground at their new location or nurture them in pots first.
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Is silver leaf poisonous?

Just a look at the botanical assignment gives the all-clear regarding a possible poison content. As a cruciferous plant, the silver leaf is related to useful plants such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, rapeseed or cress. There is not a trace of toxic ingredients far and wide. Therefore, the whole family can enjoy the decorative attributes of the silver thaler.
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Silverleaf does not bloom

If a silver leaf refuses to flower, the first step is to put the site conditions to the test. If everything is OK here, question the maintenance. To get to the bottom of the cause, we have compiled all the common triggers with tips on how to fix them for you here:

  • Too sunny: The silver leaf thrives in a semi-shady to shady location.
  • Soil that is too dry: Allocate a Lunaria to a spot in fresh, moist, nutrient-rich soil.
  • Drought stress: Water the plant as soon as the substrate has dried.
  • Nutrient deficiency: From May to August, the Silbertaler depends on a regular supply of nutrients.

If it is a seedling propagated plant, a little patience is required. Both the annual and the perennial species do not flower until the second year in the bed.

Beautiful varieties

  • Judaspfennig: Two-year-old silver leaf that remains true to its place in the bed over the years through sowing
  • Moon Violet: Pretty silverleaf perennial with white, purple-tinged flowers and the distinctive seed pods
  • Albiflora: Award-winning variety that draws attention to itself with countless creamy-white umbrella panicles
  • Moneta del Papa: Rustic, richly branched summer flower with purple flowers and parchment thalers in fall

Category:

Herbs