Stachys 'Hummelo' - BETONY 'HUMMELO'

Superior, tough, easy to grow perennial, winner of Stachys trials in Chicago Botanic Garden.

Perennial of the year 2019 (nominated by Perennial Plant Association, USA).

Pollinator friendly, long-lived and adaptable. Introduction of famous plantsman and landscape architect Piet Oudolf -  named after district in Holland and his own nursery and garden.

1.5' tall and wide, lavender-rose small flowers in clusters from July till September (with the peak from mid June to mid July). Dark green, a bit shiny leaves, clump perennial that will in time grow into dense, groundcovering mats.

Full sun, half sun are the best (half shade is tolerated, but you might expect less abundant flowering). Average soil with average moisture (medium, medium-moist, medium-dry). Tolerates droughts, but prefers some moisture (ideally consistent moisture). It does fairly well here in South Central Indiana in hot humid summers and looked well in dry summer 2020.

Hardy in zones 4 to 8.

Deer and rabbit resistant, black walnut tolerant. Attracts pollinators (honey bees, butterflies and some native bees).

Sometimes sold as Stachys monierii 'Hummelo', sometimes as Stachys officinalis 'Hummelo'.

Versatile perennial, that should be seen a lot more in North American gardens - perfect in sunny border, naturalistic planting, cottage gardens, private and public spaces, good edging plant (the rosettes of leaves are ornamental too). Can be combined with majority of common perennial, but also wildflowers and grasses.

Can be seen in Lurie Garden in Chicago (part of Millenium park).

Pot size : square 3.5" x 5" deep pot

Picture copyright : Courtesy of Walter's Gardens