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Betonica officinalis

Betonica officinalis

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BetonyPerennialFamily: Lamiaceae

Height: 60cmSpread: 20cm
Hardy

Attractive to wildlife

Flower colour:

Purple

Red

Foliage colour:

Green

Position

Sun Exposure:

Dappled shade, full shade, full sun, partial shade

Aspect:

East facing, north facing, south facing, west facing

Position in Border:

Front, middle

Soil

Prefers rich soil:

Acidic / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Betonica officinalis (recently changed from Stachys officinalis) is a British native perennial wildflower, with delightful purple-red blooms and fresh green, toothed foliage. It's typically found in grasslands and hedgerows, but does well in gardens. It's most commonly known as betony, but it's other common names include: common hedgenettle, purple betony, wood betony, bishopwort, or bishop's wort. Like other members of the dead nettle (Lamiaceae) family, betony can be identified by its square stems and lipped flowers, which are a magnet for bees and other pollinators.

Traditionally, betony was thought to have significant healing properties, and was used to aid digestion and circulation, as well as help to calm the central nervous system and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. All parts of the betony plant are edible and can be used fresh or dried to make a slightly spicy, aromatic tea, which is said to warm and soothe the body – in short, a cup of wood betony tea will make you feel better, and was once used as a catch-all herbal medicine regardless of the symptoms. Betony is also thought to aid concentration, and was even planted in churchyards to ward against ghosts.

Today, betony makes an excellent bee-friendly wildflower for a native wildflower border or meadow area. Its flowers are particularly favoured by the solitary wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum), which sometimes nests in bee hotels.

How to grow betony

Betony is a vigorous grower, thriving in neutral to acidic soils, and is ideal for using as a wildflower plant. In garden planting schemes, betony works well alongside ox-eye daisy and ornamental grasses, and does as well in sun as in shade. For best results grow Betonica officinalis in moist but well-drained l in full sun to full shade. Sow seed in late summer where it is to flower, or raise from plugs. Cut back in autumn. It will self-seed readily.

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Betonica ‘Officinalis’ and wildlife

Betonica ‘Officinalis’ is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees

Bees

Is known to attract Beneficial insects

Beneficial insects

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is known to attract Butterflies/Moths

Butterflies/Moths

Is known to attract Other pollinators

Other pollinators

Is Betonica ‘Officinalis’ poisonous?

Betonica ‘Officinalis’ has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Cats

Cats

Is not known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is not known to attract Horses

Horses

Is not known to attract Livestock

Livestock

Is not known to attract People

People