Melittis melissophyllum
Bastard balm
- Height × spread
- 0.46m × 0.46m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A plant for light shade which can be found in the wild, colonizing hedges and woods in mountainous areas. It has rather pretty pink tubular flowers set into the axils of the leaves on the upright stems. The flowers appear in May and June and have open mouths with rose red staining on the lower lip. They are loved by bees. The leaves somewhat resemble those of stinging nettles being slender and conical with crinkled surfaces. They carry a sweet scent and this is retained even when they are dried. This enjoys a partially shaded position in soil that always has moisture in it.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.46m
- Spread
- 0.46m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.