Lamb's ear

Big betony, or also large-flowered betony, belongs to the perennials that will catch your eye at first sight with their robustness and elegance. It is native to the mountain meadows of the Caucasus and northern Iran, where it decorates sunny grassy slopes. In the garden, it creates dense ground-level clumps of deep green, heart-shaped leaves with distinct crinkling, which look very decorative throughout the season and reliably suppress weeds. From June to August, sturdy upright stems rise above this green carpet, topped with spike-like inflorescences in a rich purplish-violet shade. The flowers are literally a magnet for bees, bumblebees, and other pollinators, so you will bring a lot of buzzing life to the garden with it. This long-lived and reliable perennial is an ideal choice even for beginning growers because it does not suffer from diseases or pests and handles winter frosts excellently. It thrives best in full sun or partial shade in well-drained, loamy soil that retains some moisture. Thanks to its height of about 40 to 60 cm, it is perfectly suited for the edges of flower beds or as an undergrowth beneath taller shrubs and roses. Betony is also a rewarding plant for cutting into summer bouquets, where its striking color and sturdy stem will continue to bring joy for several days.

Betony, or Stachys, Morning Blush is a reliable perennial that will win you over not only with its flowers but also with its leaf structure. The original species comes from the mountain meadows of the Caucasus and northern Turkey, where it grows in sunny and slightly moist habitats. In the garden, it creates dense, compact clumps of wrinkled, deep green leaves that work as great ground cover and suppress weed growth. Above them, from May to July, sturdy upright stems carrying large deadnettle-like flowers rise. It is a magnet for bees and bumblebees, which find a rich source of nectar in the flowers. The Morning Blush cultivar is exceptional for its delicate coloring. Unlike the more common purple varieties, it offers a palette from pure white to softly pinkish, bringing light and elegance to flower beds. It fits into country gardens as well as more modern perennial plantings, where it contrasts beautifully with darker plants. The inflorescences are also suitable for cutting into a vase, where they stay fresh for several days. It is a long-lived and undemanding plant that handles our winters perfectly and requires almost no care.