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Herbaceous Perennial

Clinopodium vulgare
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

wild basil

A perennial with soft, hairy slightly aromatic with usually unbranched stems stem and oval, slightly toothed and short stalked leaves. It bears pinkish purple 1.2 to 2.2 cm long arranged in whorls in late summer.

Other common names
cushion calamint
brenhinllys gwyllt
Synonyms
Calamintha vulgaris
Clinopodium vulgaris
see moreCalamintha clinopodium
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming
Genus

Clinopodium are a genus of flowering plants that can be perennials, aromatic herbs or small shrubs. Flowering mid-summer to early autumn, they produce whorls of delicate flowers at the top of each stem, which can vary in colour from purple to violet to pink, depending on the species.

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Eurasia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in free draining preferably calcareous soil.

Propagation

Propagate by seed - sow seeds in the autumn. Propagate by division from runners.

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
Pruning

Trim back flowered stems. If self seeding require, cut back after the seed was dispersed.

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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