gypsywort
Latin name: Lycopus europaeus
Family: Lamiaceae
Other common names; bugleweed
Flowering time: June to September
Height: to 1m
Growing conditions: wet soils, near the river
Nectar source for: bees, small insects
Food source for:
Description
A tall perennial member of the dead-nettle family and is closely related to mints and thymes.
How to identify: Gypsywort has stiff distinctive square stems which have pairs of sharply serrated leaves that have whorls of delicate small white flowers at the base dotted with purple.
How to propagate: Sow from seed in spring or autumn in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Family: Lamiaceae
Other common names; bugleweed
Flowering time: June to September
Height: to 1m
Growing conditions: wet soils, near the river
Nectar source for: bees, small insects
Food source for:
Description
A tall perennial member of the dead-nettle family and is closely related to mints and thymes.
How to identify: Gypsywort has stiff distinctive square stems which have pairs of sharply serrated leaves that have whorls of delicate small white flowers at the base dotted with purple.
How to propagate: Sow from seed in spring or autumn in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.