1. White-stem Woodmint – Stachys albens
(STAY-kiss AL-bens)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: Much of California, also NV and UT; moist spots including marshes, seeps, riparian areas.
herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-4 ft. mature width: 2-4+ ft.
Erect to somewhat prostrate herbaceous perennial, spreading by rhizomes. Foliage a lovely soft,
wooly white. Leaves rounded, may be wrinkled, stress deciduous.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms spring to fall – usually summer to early fall. Flowers are not particularly
showy, pink-white, arranged along the stalks. Shape typical for Mint family.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often grown for it’s beautiful white foliage.
Great for moist areas of
garden such as rain gardens, pond edges, under birdbath. Fine for riparian areas. Would be great
in moist containers. Can be used as a groundcover – will spread.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native mints; other white-foliage groundcover plants.
Attracts: Nectar used by butterflies & hummingbirds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part sun (light shade probably best)
Any – sand to clay; any local pH
Best with some summer water (Zone 2-3); will spread with abundant water.
Tolerates winter flooding.
Not needed; organic mulch is fine.
Easy to grow. It will spread, so best contained (in container or in area where it has
limited growth potential. This is a typical Mint in terms of it’s ability to spread!!
Management:
Propagation: from seed: ??
by cuttings: probably; divisions & tip cuttings
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 12
9/2/08
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