About
Basal leaves are to 10cm long, in rosettes, flowering stems erect to 50cm in height. A carpeting, evergreen perennial, with thick, soft, oblong-elliptic leaves and stems densely white-woolly. Flowers are purplish or pink, sometimes appearing striped, arranged in many-flowered whorls in an interrupted spike in summer. Several selections with varying leaf and flower colour are available. A valuable foliage plant.
About the genus
Stachys can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with paired leaves which are sometimes unpleasantly aromatic, and erect spikes or racemes of whorled, 2-lipped flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toCaucasus to Iran
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun
PruningNo pruning required - remove flowers to prolong the life of the plant
PropagationPropagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring. Propagate by division or remove rooted sections in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews