Id-Code: SA 044
Family: Lamiaceae, Labiatae
Origin: Eastern North America
Special Features: Reddish-purple leaves which hold their color all season, even in the heat of the summer
History: Introduced by JELITTO PERENNIAL SEEDS in 1999
Colour: Lavender-blue, almost unconspicous, tubular-shaped flowers in whorled spikes
Natural Flowering Period: May - July
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z5-8
Growth Habit: Clumping
Foliage: Colorful, reddish-purple, oblong-shaped leaves which are clefted with round edges
Height with Flowers: 40 cm (15'')
Spacing between Plants: 40 cm (15'')
Soil Requirements: Any ordinary well drained soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full Sun to partial shade
Use: Ornamental foliage plant, plant together with Achillea 'Love Parade', Euphorbia polychroma and Aquilegia flabellata var. pumila
Specialities: Potential for use as a ground cover in poor soils
Cultural Tips: Scheduling:
Growing On:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 2,381
Seeds per Gram: 420
Seeding Recommendation: 3 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72 or 128
Germination: Rapidly germinating, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C [68°F]. Seeds must be covered thinly. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs. The germination might be slower and more irregular. This poses no problems.
Best Sowing Dates: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 2 - 3 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not Necessary
Container Size(s): 1 plug per 8/9 cm (3 1/2''); 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2'')
Vernalization: There is little advantage to vernalization even though a cold period won't do any harm on this or any perennial seed item.
Forcing: This species is not a suitable candidate for forcing.
Fertilization: Light (100-150 ppm)
