Honesty is a biennial that earns its permanent place in the garden through patience. Seeds sown one year produce only foliage; the following spring, rosy-pink flowers appear on branching stems reaching three feet, followed in midsummer by the papery, translucent seed pods that are the plant's real gift. The name Lunaria derives from luna, the Latin for moon, in reference to those circular, silvery discs that make the best winter arrangements and catch light in ways fresh flowers never quite manage. Full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil are all it asks.

Bring it into a garden once and it tends to stay, self-seeding generously enough that some gardeners find themselves editing it back rather than encouraging it. That quality cuts both ways: in a relaxed, informal garden it naturalizes beautifully, threading itself through other plants and providing structure when little else is doing much. It is reported as invasive in some regions, so checking local guidance before planting near wild areas is worthwhile. For dried arrangements, cut stems after the seeds have dispersed and the outer husks can be rubbed off to reveal the papery septum beneath.