STACHYS. Widespread, mostly in temperate regions. An odd assortment of mint relatives, widely scattered around the globe. They have mostly square stems, paired, often strangely scented leaves, and spikes of small flowers resembling those of Salvia in form. The following are rugged perennials, useful on banks and in dry borders. Sun, well drained soil, only occasional watering when established. Hardiness varies.

albotomentosa. Mexico. This is a closely branched, mounding perennial, eventually 18-24" high. Paired along the stems are leaves with narrowly heart-shaped blades, 2-4" long. These are deeply veined and conspicuously toothed, deep green above and white-woolly beneath. It is nearly everblooming in our climate, with whorls of 1" tubular, salmon orange flowers spaced along the upper stems. 20^oF. or less.

byzantina (lanata). Lamb's ears. A popular ground-cover. It has short, prostrate stems, profusely branched to make dense carpets. The leaves are large, pointed-oval in outline and densely covered with white wool. One to two-foot stems bearing whorls of lavender pink blossoms appear in summer. These should be sheared off after bloom. ‘Silver Carpet’ is a particularly dense selection, alleged not to bloom (However, I have seen material from several different sources contradict this claim). ‘Helene von Stein’ (‘Countess von Stein') is a more robust form, with leaves nearly a foot long. ‘Primrose Heron’ is distinguished by pale yellow new growth, changing to light green beneath the usual white hairs. A useful, softly textured ground cover. 0^oF or less.

coccinea. Quite unlike any other stachys I've met. This is a spreading semishrub, growing 1-2' tall and probably 3-4' broad. It has grey-hairy stems and leaves, contrasting nicely with spikes of bright red flowers, carried throughout the summer and fall. Evidently 15^oF or less.

macrantha. Caucasus, Iran. Plants of this species form dense colonies, each shoot beginning with a rosette of small hairy, wrinkled green leaves. In summer flowering stalks rise 1-2’, carrying interrupted clusters of showy lavender flowers, an inch long or more. 0^oF. or less.

thirkei Makes a low tight carpet of blue grey-green leaves that make a great base for the front of a garden or along a path. The flowers are a rich color of mauve pink in dense clusters. The blooms come in the spring and make a real show. A new favorite.