Meehan's Mint

Meehania urticifolia is a rare and beautiful trailing woodland perennial from Japan and China that is perfectly suited to the British climate. It produces low, creeping stems that root as they go, covered in nettle-like, heart-shaped green leaves. In late spring and early summer, it bears surprisingly large, hooded, funnel-shaped flowers of a clear lavender-blue, held in upright spikes. The flowers are quite showy for a woodland ground cover and are a magnet for bees. It grows to about 15-20cm in height but can spread extensively, making it a superb choice for a shaded bank or for underplanting beneath shrubs. Fully hardy (H5), it thrives in moist, organic-rich soil in partial to full shade. It is an excellent, more refined alternative to common Lamium, providing a more elegant floral display and a dense, lush carpet of green. In the UK, it remains relatively evergreen in mild winters but may die back to the roots in colder regions.

Sun: Full shade.

Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.