About
Betonica hirsuta is a perennial wildflower that forms clumps, featuring hairy, oval leaves that are dark green, heart-shaped at the base, and serrated along the edges. During the summer, it produces spikes filled with dense, bright pink blooms on hairy stems. This plant is particularly beneficial for solitary bees, making it a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly gardens.
About the genus
Betonica comprises a group of perennial wildflowers native to the region, characterized by their slender, oval leaves that grow on erect stems. The plants produce vibrant flowers that range from purple to red, blooming from summer through early autumn.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Dislikes winter wet
- Pruning
- Deadhead faded flowers. Cut back to ground level in autumn
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring or sow seed in situ in late summer. Will self-seed readily
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free