Description
Marrubium – Horehound –
There are about 40 species of woolly, aromatic perennials herbs in this genus. They occur from the Mediterranean, Europe, temperate Asia, mainly in sunny, dry, stony wasteland. They have square stems that carry alternate, opposite pairs of usually ovate, toothed leaves with soft hairs and conspicuous veining. They bear tubular, 2 lipped flowers held in axillary whorls. Grow in a large rock garden or a mixed border, they are especially effective in a Mediterranean style garde.
Grow in poor, well drained soil in full sun. Provide shelter from cold, drying winds and protection from excessive winter moisture. Divide in mid spring.
M. vulgare – White Horehound – Common Horehound – This coarse, upright, silky white hairy perennial from Europe, Canary Islands, Northern Africa, and Northern Asia grows 18″ tall and 12-18″ wide. It produces heart shaped, scalloped edged, downy to nearly hairless, wormwood scented, gray leaves, to 2″ long, densely woolly beneath. From mid summer to early fall it bear white flowers, to ½” across, are borne within white calyces, in rounded whorls. Can be quite invasive.
Zones 4-9
