- Botanical name: Melittis melissophyllum subsp. albida
- Common name: Bastard balm
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Herb, Perennial
White
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
A clump-forming native wildflower and member of the mint family, Melittis, or bastard balm, bears sweet scented, mint-like lobed flowers in summer. Like mint, its leaves are aromatic, although their scent is less pleasing than that of mint. Established plants are extremely drought tolerant.
Melittis melissophyllum subsp. albida has pure white flowers. Grow in a shady part of the garden such as a woodland border, in moist but well-drained soil.
How to grow Melittis melissophyllum
-
Plant size
45cm height
45cm spread
- Sun exposure: Full shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Melittis melissophyllum and wildlife
Melittis melissophyllum is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects and butterflies/moths. It is a caterpillar food plant and has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Attractive to Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Melittis melissophyllum poisonous?
Melittis melissophyllum has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Melittis melissophyllum
