Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
Stachys
'Hummelo'
alpine betony
Stachys monieri 'Hummelo's fresh and zingy colourway of purple and vibrant green will turn many heads in your garden this summer, so be sure to plant it in a prominent place, and the compliments with come flooding in! The slender heart-shaped leaves, with scalloped edges, have just as much pizazz as the fluffy violet flowers – and the two together is a match made in heaven. Pollinators will just love buzzing around the flower spikes, collecting the plentiful nectar, making this a great addition to a wildlife garden.
As a vigorous herbaceous perennial, Stachys monieri 'Hummelo' (or Alpine Betony) is a perfect candidate for the famous 'Chelsea chop' – cut back immediately after the first flush of flowering, and you’ll be able to coax another bright burst of the jazzy flowers out of it! This will help the plant to remain bushy and full, too – so it won’t require staking. And if you’re a lover of Lavender, this similar-looking plant will happily grow in average-to-moist soil, so could be a perfect substitute for it in those areas that don’t have the best drainage. Easily divided, this unusual variety will come back stronger each year, quickly becoming a stalwart of your summer display.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Stachys monieri 'Hummelo'
- Flower colour
- Purple
- Established height
- 50-70cm
- Established spread
- 20-30cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 5 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - Rabbit resistant
- No
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Free draining
Dry - Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Borders
Wildlife gardens
Coastal gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Pollinator-friendly
Thrives in full sun
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Drought tolerant
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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Chosen to thrive
Every bulb and plant is sourced, selected and prepared with an expert eye for their quality and garden performance.
