Nepeta raphanorrhiza

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Nepeta raphanorrhiza
Light:Full Sun
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Hardiness:5
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:2'
Native to:
Shelter
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Nepeta raphanorrhiza

Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn[1]. The germination of spring sown seed can be erratic[1], it is best sown in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.

If you have sufficient freshly ripe seed then it is well worth trying a sowing outdoors in situ in the autumn.

Division in spring or autumn[1]. Very easy, large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Basal cuttings in late spring or early summer. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation: Easily grown in a well-drained soil in a sunny position[1]. Plants are bushier when grown in fertile soils[1].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[2].

A good bee plant[3].

Range: E. Asia - W. Himalayas from Afghanistan to Kashmir.

Habitat: Locally common on open dry slopes, 1700 - 2000 metres in Kashmir[4].

Edibility: Root - cooked[5]. An almond flavour[6].

Pollinators: Bees

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  2. Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
  3. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association, 1981.
  4. Singh, Gurcharan and Premnath Kachroo. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1976.
  5. Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
  6. Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.