Betonica officinalis 'Ukkie'

RHS Plant Profile

betony 'Ukkie'

Synonyms

Stachys officinalis 'Ukkie'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A very compact, hebaceous perennial producing densely packed heads of pink-purple flowers in summer, on short spikes to 30cm (12in) high above soft, crinkled, green foliage. The flowers are very attractive to bees and other pollinators and are a useful addition to the wildlife garden.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous, Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerant of partial shade. Protect from excessive winter wet.

Propagation

Propagate by basal or stem-tip softwood cuttings in spring. Propagate by division in springPropagate by seed at 21°C (70F) in spring. Root basal or stem-tip softwood cuttings in spring. Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Gravel garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove old stems and foliage as plant dies back for the winter

Pests

May be susceptible to slug and snail damage

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and root rot in heavy wet soil