Betonica macrantha 'Violacea'

RHS Plant Profile
betony 'Violacea'

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Synonyms

Stachys macrantha 'Violacea'

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial, producing heads of pale purple-pink flowers in summer, on erect stems up to 0.6m (2ft) high, above mats of green, scalloped, crinkled foliage. The flowers are extremely attractive to bees and other pollinators, making the plants a good choice for including in a wildlife garden.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 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

Fragrance Foliage
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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 21°C (70F) in spring and by 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
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover

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