WELCOME to My Place to Yours and the beginning of a new week! Today I’m sharing a metamorphosis I look forward to every year. It happens just about the time the last of the daffodils are blooming. I begin to see peeks of pinkish-purple flowers … and they make me smile. Before we moved into our old house, I’d never had this plant in my yard, although I was familiar with it. That’s one of the things I love about living in a house that’s lived an entire lifetime before me — I get to see what plants come up. It’s always a surprise. This plant has the added benefit of being pleasantly fragrant!
This is a Money Plant, although it also goes by the names honesty, silver dollar, satinflower, penny flower, Judas’ penny, and moonwart. It’s Latin name is Lunaria Biennis.
According to GardenGuides.com, the Money Plant was introduced to England from Germany in the late 1500s and brought to America by the Puritans. It’s been a popular heirloom plant used in winter arrangements since colonial times.
If it doesn’t look familiar, keep reading. The “end result” may be what you recognize.
After the flowers fade, it’s the round seed pods that catch my eye. You can see them along with the flowers in the picture above, too.
The seed pods start out bright green …
… then dry to brown.
Eventually, the ripened pods shed their outer cover and release the seeds.
See how the circle I’ve highlighted looks different — almost paper-thin?
The paper-thin effect only increases as the plant dries…
Eventually, there’s nothing left but translucent silver circles. The Money Plant is a biennial plant, meaning that it takes two years to complete its growing cycle. I love that it’s self-sowing, bringing smiles year after year with absolutely zero maintenance (except from the Master Gardener, of course)!
So tell me … Do you recognize this plant? Do you call it by a different name?
Do you have Money Plant growing in your yard? Have you ever used it in your decorating — real or faux varieties?
What if money reeaally grew on “trees?” Good idea? Bad idea?
I have Money Plant growing on one side of my house. I didn’t know that it is a biennial. I pulled up a lot of it this year as it’s quite invasive. Next year, I vow to leave some because now I have no pretty pods.
My grandmother used the pods in her arrangements for church and for garden club and also in pressed flower pictures that she created.
No, don’t believe I’ve ever seen one in my region, but the flowers are very pretty and the pods too – thanks for sharing 🙂
Oh…this brings back memories, my Mum used to grow it when I was growing up, I loved the dried pods, I will have to find some and grow it myself. Thanks for the memories
Hi Susan,
yes I know that plant. We usw in Germany the names Judaspfennig (Judas Penny) or Mondviole (Moonwart). It has a lovely color and funny seeds. It would be a good idea to grow money on trees. We have this coins, but they don’t accept it in Germany in the stores. Whats about in your area?
Best greetings, Johanna
I love this plant, and no, I don’t have it in my yard. I love all of its various stages, too. Thanks for sharing, Susan.
XO,
Sheila
Wow, I just want money growing in my yard whether its in a plant or not I’ll take it, ha, ha. Thanks for stopping my “In His Grip”.
I have only seen it either faux or dried. I love it but didn’t know that was what it was called. I hope you use some of it in decorating. It’s just so enchanting looking to me.
I really love it.
And in answer to your question instead of sending an email…
Yep! I wanted the opinions on the cattails. I loved it just fine without them and wasn’t planning to gild the lily, but then I took them out to use elsewhere, and well…
So I was honestly asking for a thumbs up or down. I think I’ll base it on whether I need the cattails elsewhere. I’m not in the mood to venture into the bushes to cut more so they’ll probably be traveling. LOL