Meehania urticifolia
Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae
What it is like
Meehania urticifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Rich damp deciduous woods in the mountains, S. and S. Japan.
E. Asia - N.E. China, Japan, Korea.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young leaves - cooked.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
An attractive ground cover plant for semi-shade.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Requires partial shade. A vigorous plant, forming large patches in dappled shade or in exposed but sunless areas. Hardy to about -15°c. The plant has long stolons, rooting at the nodes, and it spreads rapidly to form a large patch.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division can be carried out at almost any time of the year so long as the plant is not allowed to dry out. Stem cuttings in the spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade
Moisture: Moist