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Stachys spathulata

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Stachys minima
Phonetic Spelling
STACK-eez spa-thyu-LAH-tah
Description

Betony is a rhizomatous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) that is native to southern Africa. In its native habitat, it is found in dry grasslands nad riverbanks under arid to semi-arid conditions. The genus name, Stachys, is Greek meaning ear of corn, and spathulata means shaped like a spatula in reference to the leaf shape. It looks like a shorter verison of Betony 'Hummelo'.

The plant is easy to grow in average, well-drained soil.  Only an average amount of water is required. They do not like waterlogged soils in the winter. Betony is moderately drought tolerant once established. Fertilizing is usually not necessary. For the best flowers and minimum disease problems, grow in full sun.   Betony is only 4-8" tall and should be spaced 12-18” apart. The middle of the clumps eventually die. You can reinvigorate the old clumps by removing the dead middle and planting the remaining clusters closer.

Deadhead the spent flowers to prevent self-seeding. The seedling may be slightly different from the parent. Betony has a semi-evergreen dense rosette of interesting-shaped crinkled dark green leaves. The prolific summer blooms are showy false whorls of rose-purple flowers on 4-8" spikes. The flowers attract bees and butterflies.

Betony can be placed in border fronts, rock gardens, and containers. Mass plantings can be used as a ground cover or accent plant along pathways. Betony is appropriate for fairy and pollinator gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  There are no serious insect or disease problems.  However, during hot and humid conditions, it can develop leaf spots, powdery mildew, and rot.  It can be damaged by slugs and snails.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#purple flowers#showy leaves#rabbit resistant#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#border front#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#container plant#full sun#pollinator garden#part shade#walkways
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#purple flowers#showy leaves#rabbit resistant#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#border front#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#container plant#full sun#pollinator garden#part shade#walkways
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Stachys
    Species:
    spathulata
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Botswana, Cape Provinces, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mozambique,
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts pollinators
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The two-lipped, tubular, rose-purple flowers are densely crowded on 4-6" spikes in false whorls. Blooms in June- July
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The dense rosette of dark green leaves with scalloped edges are evergreen. Leaves are 8-12 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The 4-6" spikes with flowers rise from a dense rosette.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits