This is a pretty interesting and rarer to find plant, but I think it works pretty great. Stachys bullata is not a real Hedgenettle and does not sting; rather, it’s in the mint family and shares striking blossoms in a similar shape as you’d find on a Salvia clevelandii, but in a mottled white and purple color. Each bloom lasts for a short amount of time, but it brightens up a shady spot in a garden in a wonderful way. The plant is evergreen and spreads from underground rhizomes so give it some space. Perfect for the shady back corner of your yard that you don’t know what to do with. Takes some moisture so give it a good watering, also withstands clay.

In nature this plant seems to occur along streams and creeks; as the creek dries out, the plant migrates down the embankment, following the water. In winter, with the rains, it starts the process all over again with the rainy season. Luckily my back section of the yard is on drip and gets water every nine days and that seems to do the trick. I’ve seen this plant get totally devoured by caterpillars, only to bounce back up. I couldn’t have been happier. Yards are meant to be eaten!

Calscape