Description
Horminum –
There is a single species of a low growing, rhizomatous perennial, in this genus. It occurs in scree, rocks, and meadows in subalpine areas of the Pyrenees and European Alps. It has basal rosettes of glossy, toothed, ovate, dark green leaves,, and is grown for its spikes of tubular-bell shaped, usually violet flowers, borne in summer. Grow at the front of a herbaceous border or in a rock garden.
Grow in peaty, moderately fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Feed once at the start of the growing season with a ration of slow-release fertilizer. Divide in spring.
Prone to slug and snails.
H. pyrenaicum – Dragon’s Mouth – Pyrenean Dead Nettle – This perennial from France and Spain grows 8″ tall and 12″ wide. It produces rosettes of ovate, toothed, glossy, dark green leaves, to 3″ long. In summer it bears a succession of tubular bell shaped, 2 lipped flowers, to 3/4″ long, in axillary whorls. The flowers have prominent stamens, and are usually rich violet-blue occasionally pink or white, with a white striped throat.
Zones 6-8
