Stachys officinalis 'Alba' (White Betony) — Perennial herb

Overview

Stachys officinalis 'Alba' is a perennial herb in the genus Stachys, part of the Q53476 family. It typically grows around 0.6 m tall. Stachys officinalis 'Alba' grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy and loamy soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. It is native to Europe.

About

Stachys officinalis 'Alba' is a perennial herb in the genus Stachys valued for its white summer flowers. It typically reaches about 0.6 m in height and flowers from June to September. Plant it in full sun on a sandy or loamy soil that remains moist but drains freely. It is fully hardy in the UK (H7).

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Betonica officinalis

About the genus

Stachys is a genus of plants, one of the largest in the mint family Lamiaceae. Estimates of the number of species vary from about 300 to about 450. Plants of the World Online accepts 373 species.

Wikipedia contributors, "Stachys", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Stachys

In the garden

Stachys officinalis 'Alba' is a European perennial herb in the genus Stachys, grown for its white blooms through the summer months. It forms clumps that reach roughly 0.6 m, producing flowers between June and September, so it contributes to mid‑ to late‑summer colour. The plant is also known by the traditional name woundwort. Choose a sunny position and a free‑draining sandy or loamy soil; the soil should hold some moisture without becoming waterlogged. Full sun helps the plant set a good display of flowers; tolerating a degree of dryness is not the same as liking standing wet ground. Stachys officinalis 'Alba' is rated H7 for UK hardiness, which means it is fully hardy and can be expected to survive typical British winters (USDA zones 5–10). Use it towards the front or middle of a border where its white flowers will link summer planting, or in a meadow‑style scheme alongside grasses and other perennials that flower in the same period. Positioning where its June–September flowering period fills a gap between spring bulbs and later autumn perennials will make best use of its seasonal interest.