Melittis melissophyllum
| Melittis melissophyllum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Melittis melissophyllum (common name: bastard balm)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a cold frame in the autumn[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring[2] or autumn[1]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation: Succeeds in any good soil in partial shade[3][4]. Prefers a rich loam[3]. Grows well in thickets, woodland edges and the garden border[3].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[4].
The flowers have a pleasing sweet honey-like scent[5].
The leaves become sweetly fragrant as they dry[5], they retain their fragrance for a long time[2].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[6].
Range: Central and southern Europe, including Britain.
Habitat: Hedges, scrub and mountain woods[4].
Edibility: A coumarin scented (like new-mown hay) herb, it is occasionally used for making a 'Maiwein' or 'Maibowle' type of beverage[7].
Medicinal: Astringent, blood purifier, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative, vulnerary[8].
Pollinators: Bees, moths
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: M. grandiflora. M. sylvestris.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.