Description
Lamiaceae (family name)
Forage for Pollinators: Produces Nectar in abundance, especially attractive to Short-tongued Bumblebees and Honeybees and widely acclaimed bee plant producing amber honey with a strong mint flavour which remains liquid for months. Research points to this as being one of the top honey plants: producing 300-400Kg/1 hectare (source: Interchanges of Insects by B.S.Ekbom). Pollinated by Bees.
Flowering time: July, August, September.
Growing information: HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL WILDFLOWER native to Europe and undoubtedly grown here for millennia due to its medicinal importance. It grows to 2 m (6ft 6in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) and is a very attractive, architectural plant with deeply-lobed, palmate leaves and mauve-pink to white flowers with purple-spotted lips produced, like the leaves, in whorls around the central stem. Likes well-drained, poor soil but can grow almost as well in heavy soil. Hardy to below minus 30ºC. (Medicinal active compound: Leonurine, a remedy for heart palpitations and strengthening a weak heart)
