General Culture:
Grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers acidic, organically rich soils. Needs constant moisture in summer. Poor tolerance for drought. Remove spent flower spikes after bloom (plants self-seed freely, but will not come true from seed). For large ground cover plots, plants may be mowed after bloom both to remove flower spikes and to maintain appearance of the plants.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
This self heal is a low-growing, mat-forming, rhizomatous perennial which typically grows 6-12" tall and spreads 12-18" or more. A mint family member which features oval to lance-shaped, dark green leaves (to 4" long) and rose pink, 2-lipped flowers in dense, terminal spikes which rise above the foliage on upright, square stems. Blooms in late spring to early summer.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Can be somewhat weedy and spreading.
Uses:
Perhaps best as a small or large scale ground cover. Grows well under trees and shrubs. Also effective in border fronts or rock gardens subject to the spreading caveat.
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Garden, 2001-2010