About
Betonica Officinalis 'Hummelo' is a rhizomatous, patch-forming herbaceous perennial in the mint family that carries upright flower spikes. It typically reaches 0.3–0.6 m tall and produces purple blooms from July to September. Leaves are stalked, narrowly oval with a heart-shaped base, a slightly wrinkled surface and toothed margins. The cultivar 'Hummelo' has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
About the genus
Betonica is a genus of the plants in the family Lamiaceae.
Wikipedia contributors, "Betonica", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Betonica
In the garden
A member of the Lamiaceae, Betonica Officinalis 'Hummelo' originates from Europe, western Asia and northern Africa and was formerly placed in the genus Stachys before being recognised as Betonica by morphological and genetic study. As a rhizomatous, grassland-forming perennial it produces upright spikes of purple flowers through July to September and forms stable patches over time. Allow space for its spreading habit when siting 'Hummelo' because individual plants connect by short rhizomes and will enlarge a stand rather than remain solitary; a mature clump commonly reaches 0.3–0.6 m in height. Its foliage — stalked, narrowly oval leaves with a heart-shaped base and toothed margins — provides a textured base beneath the flowering stems. The cultivar has the RHS Award of Garden Merit, which highlights its garden performance under UK conditions. Use 'Hummelo' in grassland-style plantings, meadow mixes or the middle of a mixed border where a mid-height, clump-forming perennial is needed to carry summer colour. Plant where its tendency to form patches can be accommodated, and choose the AGM 'Hummelo' selection when a dependable display of purple flower spikes from July to September is required.