Stachys monieri 'Hummelo'

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon)

Basics: zones 4-8, 18" x18", full sun to part sun to high, light shade, lavender-purple bottlebrush type flower heads held above shiny, textured foliage in mid summer, likes medium moisture

Common names: Betony, Wood Betony, Common Hedgenettle, Purple Betony, Bishopwort, Bishop's Wort

Synonyms: Stachys betonica, Betonica officinalis, Stachys officinalis, Stachys densiflora

There is disagreement around the botanical name of this plant. Stachys monieri is synonymous with S. officinalis and S. betonica according to Wikipedia. However Betonica and Stachys are now separated as Betonica are more closely related to hemp-nettles (Galeopsis species). Have your eyes glazed over yet? 

Family: Lamiaceae

Origin/Distribution: Whatever the species is now called, 'Hummelo' was selected and developed by Piet Oudolf and introduced into the nursery trade by Ernst Pagels. It was the highest rated Stachys in the Plant Evaluation Trials at the Chicago Botanic Garden conducted from 1998-2004.

Habitat: dry grassland, open woods, meadow

More: Good in a rock garden or the front of a border, attractive to pollinators but not deer or rabbits, juglone tolerant. Received the Perennial Plant Association's Plant of the Year Award in 2018. Will spread by stolons if happy. Betony has a long cultural and medicinal association with humans (more research for this winter!). 

Nursery: Van Berkum

Image credits: Van Berkum Nursery