Description
Prunella – Selfheal – Self-Heal –
There are about 7 species of spreading, semi evergreen perennials in this genus. They occur in dry grasslands, on sunny banks, and woodland in Europe, Asia, Northern Africa and North America. They are grown for their dense, upright whorled spikes or heads of tubular, 2 lipped, white, pink, or violet flowers. The opposite leaves are oblong to ovate, simple or deeply lobed, often rounded at the bases, and either basal or in tufts on the stems. Self-heals are useful ground covering plants for banks, for the front of a border, or in a wild garden, where they attract bees and other beneficial insects. They can be extremely vigorous, and must be sited where they will not crowd out smaller plants.
Grow in any soil in full sun or partial shade. Deadhead to prevent self seeding. Divide in spring or autumn.
Prone to slugs and snails, leaf spots, tar spot, and powdery mildew.
P.grandiflora subsp. pyrenaica – Large Sel-heal – This vigorous, spreading perennial grows 6″ tall and at least 3′ feet wide. It produces simple, spear shaped, sparsely toothed, deep green leaves, to 4″ long. In spring and summer on leafy stems it carries erect, whorls of purple flowers, to 1 1/4″ long, with darker lips, in dense spikes.
Zones 5-7
