Alpine Betony

Alpine betony (Stachys monieri, often listed as Stachys officinalis 'Hummelo') is a tidy, low-maintenance herbaceous perennial in the mint family that forms a neat clump of textured, deep green leaves.

Key Characteristics
Height & Spread: Grows 18 to 24 inches tall (45–60 cm) and spreads about 12 to 18 inches wide.
Foliage: Features long, narrow, slightly crinkled, and textured dark green leaves that form a dense basal mound. Unlike its relative lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina), it lacks a fuzzy or woolly texture.
Flowers: Produces dense, bottle-brush-shaped spikes of vibrant lavender-rose to reddish-purple flowers from early through midsummer.
Hardiness: Thrives in USDA Zones 4 through 8.
Growing Requirements
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Requires average, well-drained soil; it is adaptable to clay, sandy, or normal soils as long as drainage is good.
Maintenance: Very low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and resistant to deer and rabbits.
Landscape Uses: Great for borders, rock gardens, and mixed perennial beds. Excellent for attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds. Useful as a cut flower due to its sturdy stems.