Stachys 'Hummelo'

	This plant is part of the distinctive and inspiring Piet Oudolf collection.
	View all Piet Oudolf plants

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.