TRICHOSTEMA lanatum. Woolly blue curls. This is a spectacular though temperamental native shrub of the mint family, growing about 5' tall with greater spread. Its stiff branches are clothed with narrow deep green leaves, about 2" long. They are strongly and sweetly very aromatic. In spring and summer (nearly all year in mild climates) it carries flowering stems 1' or more long, these and the base of each flower covered by blue to reddish purple (or occasionally white) hairs. The flowers are lavender blue to violet in color and have long, curled stamens. Best suited for open bank and hillside plantings. Sun, very well drained soil, only occasional watering when established. Hardy to 15oF. or less.