Leonurus japonicus ‘Alba’

Description

Leonurus japonicus ‘Alba’

Leonurus japonicus ‘Alba’ is a white-flowered form of Japanese motherwort, an upright, architectural herbaceous perennial (often grown as an annual or biennial in cooler climates) reaching around 100-150cm in height, with a spread of 40-60cm. It produces tall, square stems clothed in deeply lobed, toothed, mid-green foliage, giving it a distinctive, slightly coarse texture reminiscent of other members of the mint family.

From summer into early autumn, whorls of small, hooded white flowers appear in tiers up the stems, attracting bees and other pollinators. The blooms are followed by attractive seed heads that provide additional interest into the colder months.

Cultivation is easy: grow in full sun or light shade in moist but well-drained soil. It tolerates a range of conditions once established and self-seeds readily, so deadhead if a tidier display is preferred. Cut back stems in late autumn or early spring to encourage fresh growth. Traditiuonally used in Chinese medicine