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Herbaceous Perennial

Betonica hirsuta

A clump-forming species of perennial wildflower with hairy, oval-shaped, dark green foliage, heart-shaped at the base and toothed at the leaf edges. Spikes of dense, bright pink flowers on hairy stems appear in the summer. A bee-friendly wildflower, particularly for solitary bees

Synonyms

Stachys pradica

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Clump forming, Columnar upright
Genus: Betonica is a genus of native perennial wildflowers with narrow, oval leaves on upright stems. Bright purple to red flowers appear throughout the summer and into early autumn.
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Dislikes winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or sow seed in situ in late summer. Will self-seed readily

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow

Pruning

Deadhead faded flowers. Cut back to ground level in autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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