Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’

Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ flower (10/07/2011, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Well drained soil

Flowering period: Summer

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 45cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Lamiaceae

Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ is a deciduous perennial with a mat-forming habit. Its leaves are mid green in colour, oval to oblong and have round-toothed margins. Above this mat of foliage rise whorls of hooded, tubular, hooded, white or pink flowers, which are borne on stout, sturdy stems in summer.

The species Stachys officinalis, commonly known as Betony, Purple Betony, Wood Betony, Lousewort or Bishopwort, is native to much of Europe, including Britain. It was traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of disorders and is believed to have been mainly used for maladies of the head, from headaches to lacerations. In its natural habitat it is found in wild grasslands.

The etymological root of the binomial name Stachys is derived from the Greek meaning ‘an ear of grain’, referring to the spike of flowers. Officinalis is a Latinised word used in the Linnaean binomial system to denote a plant that had a pharmacological usage, derived from the medieval word officina, meaning ‘apothecary’.

Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ (10/07/2011, London)

The landscape architect may find Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ useful as a low maintenance herbaceous perennial. It looks good when planted en mass and is suitable for prairie style planting.

Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ will tolerate almost any soil conditions; it will be happy at neutral, acid or alkaline pH levels, in loam, chalk or sand based soils facing any sheltered or exposed aspect. It is also drought tolerant once established and will tolerate salty coastal conditions.

As a native flowering plant Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ will have a large positive ecological impact and is known to attract large numbers of honey bees and many butterflies such as the Brimstone, Green-veined White,  High Brown Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Peacock,  Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell and White Admiral.

Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ requires no maintenance. This plant may be divided in early spring when clumps become too large.