About

This hardy perennial which forms spreading clumps of rounded, densely hairy, grey-green leaves. Upright stems carry tight whorls of small, white flowers surrounded by longer-lasting, green bracts.

About the genus

A genus of herbaceous flowering plants, closely related to mint, with aromatic, oval-shaped, grey-green, hairy wrinkled foliage and white flowers which appear on the upper part of the stem

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrows in any reasonable garden soil, in sun or semi-shade. Best suited to wild areas
PruningNo pruning required, spent flower stems can be cut back in autumn
PropagationPropagate by division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews