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Bishop Wart Betonica officinalis subsp. officinalis

Previously known as:

  • Stachys densiflora
Phonetic Spelling
bet-ON-ih-kuh oh-fish-ih-NAIL-iss oh-fish-ih-NAIL-iss
Description

Creeping betony is a flowering rhizomatous perennial in the mint family found in dry grassland and open woods in most of Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. The Latin epithet, officialis, refers to plants which have a culinary or medicinal use.

In nature, creeping betony is a patch-forming, grassland perennial, 12 to 24 inches tall. Prefers full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils.

Its leaves are stalked on upright stems, oval with a heart-shaped base, wrinkled texture and toothed margins. The plant flowers in midsummer and iith a dense growth habit and showy spikes of pink flowers in the spring and summer.

Use this plant in meadows, cottage gardens, and rock gardens. Flowers attract pollinators.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
    White flowers
'Alba'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#interesting leaves#deer resistant#rhizomatous#rock garden#perennial#flowering
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
    White flowers
'Alba'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#interesting leaves#deer resistant#rhizomatous#rock garden#perennial#flowering
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Betonica
    Species:
    officinalis
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    In ancient times, it was thought to protect from sorcery and ghosts. Also use medicinally.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe to Western Siberia and Caucasus
    Distribution:
    Massachusetts and New York
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Description:
    Spikes tubular bright pink/lavender flowers. Flowers subsessile. Corolla purple.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Deep green leathery leaves. Petioles of stem leaves 1 1/2 to 3 inches long; basal leaf blade broadly ovate, 3 inches long by 2 inches wide, margin crenate; stem leaf blade ovate, widely spaced. Basal floral leaves sessile, oblong-lanceolate; upper floral leaves linear, margin entire.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems 19 to 30 inches, striate, densely fine pilose.