Q stachys-bullata
12
California Hedgenettle/Wood Mint – Stachys bullata (STAY-kis bull-AY-ta) Family: Laminaceae (Mint Family) Native to: Coastal CA from San Francisco to Orange Co.; dryish slopes (near coast) and partially-shaded canyons in chaparral and coastal sage scrub, coast live oak riparian forest & woodland, sycamore riparian woodland. Growth characteristics: spreading perennial mature height: 1-4 ft. mature width: 2-5 ft. Dark green, fuzzy leaves are triangular to oval, toothed. Stem square (typical of Mints) and hairy. Plants mildly to strongly scented – minty with lemon. Spreads by rhizomes. Blooms/fruits: Flowers are small, pink to lavender-red, with white markings on the lower lips (look like a mint flower; in whorls around stem). Blooms Mar-May or later. Very pretty bloomer. Uses in the garden: Most shady areas of garden. Cultivated beds or for a fragrance garden (pleasant lemon scent when rubbed). Excellent cut flowers. Use in woodland or perennial gardens. Spreads, so is useful groundcover for north- and east-facing slopes, under trees and near shaded rock walls. Sensible substitute for: Non-native mints, low herbaceous groundcovers. Attracts: Excellent hummingbird, bee, butterfly habitat plant; other birds eat seeds. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Part-shade; full sun only on immediate coast Soil Any well-drained soil; any local pH Water does better with occasional to moderate water, and tolerates seasonal flooding Fertilizer Organic mulches useful Other Management: Easy to grow. Does spread, but not aggressively; remove unwanted stems. Cut back nearly to the ground in late fall or early winter. Propagation: from seed : yes in fall/winter by cuttings : easy (treat like other mints) Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 7, 8, 11,12, 14, 20, 32 11/3/14 © Project SOUND
Transcript of Q stachys-bullata
California Hedgenettle/Wood Mint – Stachys bullata (STAY-kis bull-AY-ta)
Family: Laminaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: Coastal CA from San Francisco to Orange Co.; dryish slopes (near coast) and partially-shaded
canyons in chaparral and coastal sage scrub, coast live oak riparian forest & woodland, sycamore riparian woodland.
Growth characteristics: spreading perennial mature height: 1-4 ft. mature width: 2-5 ft. Dark
green, fuzzy leaves are triangular to oval, toothed. Stem square (typical of Mints) and hairy. Plants mildly
to strongly scented – minty with lemon. Spreads by rhizomes.
Blooms/fruits: Flowers are small, pink to lavender-red, with white markings on the lower lips (look like a
mint flower; in whorls around stem). Blooms Mar-May or later. Very pretty bloomer.
Uses in the garden: Most shady areas of garden. Cultivated beds or for a fragrance garden (pleasant
lemon scent when rubbed). Excellent cut flowers. Use in woodland or perennial gardens. Spreads, so is useful groundcover for north- and east-facing slopes, under trees and near shaded rock walls. Sensible substitute for: Non-native mints, low herbaceous groundcovers.
Attracts: Excellent hummingbird, bee, butterfly habitat plant; other birds eat seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement Sun Part-shade; full sun only on immediate coast
Soil Any well-drained soil; any local pH
Water does better with occasional to moderate water, and tolerates seasonal flooding Fertilizer Organic mulches useful
Other
Management: Easy to grow. Does spread, but not aggressively; remove unwanted stems. Cut back
nearly to the ground in late fall or early winter.
Propagation: from seed: yes in fall/winter by cuttings: easy (treat like other mints)
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 7, 8, 11,12, 14, 20, 32 11/3/14 © Project SOUND
Stachys bullata California woodmint
In ‘El Rincon’ native plant garden: South Coast Botanic Garden
As groundcover in Mother Nature’s Backyard: Gardena, CA
As groundcover in ‘Garden of Dreams’ native plant garden (winter), CSU Dominguez Hills: Carson, CA
