Clinopodium vulgare (Satureja vulgaris) - WILD BASIL

Wild basil, modest perennial standing on the edge of horticultural interest and we don't know why...Ok, let us point it's qualities :

- regular mounds, very dense with ground covering nature

- very adaptable to light condition - can grow in full sun, half shade to full shade

- adaptable to soils and moisture in the soil - any average soil, gravely, sandy, even a bit heavier soil (but never waterlogged), medium-moist to dry!

- one of very few plants that will grow in dry shade, even with competition of tree roots

- quite long flowering season, with it's peak in June-July (sporadically continues until August/September)

- flowers are small, but arranged in hairy cluster and these stay ornamental for the rest of the season

- good size of 1.5'-2' tall x 2'-2.5' mounds

- aromatic leaves and herbal use as spices or for tea. It is astringent, cardiotonic, carminative, diaphoretic and expectorant drug

- attracts native bees, honey bees and smaller butterflies

- hardy in zones 5-7, possibly less, native wildflower, scattered through out USA, see the USDA distribution map

This perennial is a great filler, it's texture is fine (fine leaves and flowers), so combine it with upright and more robust-structured plants like Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' (or any lower cultivars of Aster novae-angliae or A. novi-belgii), lower cultivars of Baptisia, Coreopsis lanceolata, Heliopsis helianthoides, Heuchera sanquinea, Iris x germanica, Liatris, Paeonia, Penstemon digitalis, Rudbeckia, Sedum telephium, Silene virginica, Tradescantia ohiensis.

Also very good plant for drained soil in part shade or full dry shade - combine with Asarum, Carex (C. plantaginea, Carex x morrowii 'Ice Dance'), Chrysogonum, Heuchera, Iris cristata, Polygonatum, Stylophorum diphyllum.

Pot Size : square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot