Melittis Species, Balm, Bastard Balm

The best thing about Melittis, or Bastard Balm as it is commonly called, is that it grows in dry shade and is resistant to heat and droug...Read Moreht once established. It's leaves are nicely scented, a mild minty citrus sort of smell, when crushed or bruised.
NOTE: this plant was once believed to be only hardy to zone 7, probably because of its natural range. However it is hardy to at least zone 6 and has been growing in Chicago (zone 5) for several years.

I bought this plant under the name Melittis Velvet last spring. The leaves are covered with fine hair. Mine gets the morning sun only and...Read More it trives. It has gotten so tall that I had to dig out my Columbine and plant it somewhere else because it did not get any sun anymore. There are also multiple little offsprings growing around the plant now. The only negative I have to say is that after heavy rain or strong wind the plant is going to bend down. I had to put a ring around it to keep it in place.

This is from all over Europe and the Ukraine. It is typical of the dead nettle family, it has oval shaped dark green leaves with scallop...Read Moreed edges, which smell distinctly of honey. They retain this scent for a long time after being picked. The flowers are 2 lipped white, pink, purple, or white with a pink lower lip carried in whorls around the square stems.

A plant from woodland areas, appreciates a woodland setting and is remarkably hardy when established, tolerating some very dry conditions in summer. To keep it in top condition it prefers well drained, fertile soils in partial shade.

Very attractive to bees. Flowers May-July
Its common name may be seen as offensive so I've left it out.