Melittis melissophyllum aka Immenblatt

Melittis melissophyllum is a herbaceous perennial in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its common names include bastard balm, baum leaf and honey balm. Its native range runs across Europe to Türkiye, and includes Britain. It grows in hedges, scrub and mountain woods. This temperate wildflower suits woodland gardens and shaded border edges.

The plant forms a clump of upright, square stems. The RHS describes plants about 2 feet [0.6 metres] tall. Its garden size range reaches 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] in height and spread. Allow room for the clump to reach that width. Plants take two to five years to reach full size. The leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stems. They have soft hairs and a wrinkled surface. The foliage has a strong scent and is deciduous.

Flowers appear in late spring and summer, in whorls around the stems. Each flower has a tubular shape with a distinct lip. Flowers may be white, pink or purple. White flowers can also have pink or purple lips. Bees visit the blooms, giving the plant value in wildlife gardens. Its clumped form also suits cottage gardens and informal flower beds. The flowers add seasonal colour beneath the light shade of a woodland edge.

Choose partial shade and a sheltered site for garden plants. Soil should hold some moisture but let excess water drain away. The RHS recommends soil with moderate fertility. It lists chalk, clay, loam and sand as suitable types. Acid, neutral and alkaline soils are all acceptable. The RHS rates this species H6 for UK hardiness. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 5–9. No routine pruning is needed, and pests and diseases seldom cause trouble. Sow ripe seed in containers in a cold frame. Spring division offers another way to raise plants.

Plants For A Future records occasional use in tea and Maiwein-style drinks. The herb has a hay-like scent linked to coumarin. The source gives it a low food-use rating. It also records traditional medicinal uses, with a low medicinal-use rating. These include astringent, diuretic, sedative and wound-care uses. Such records describe past uses rather than proof of benefit. Plants For A Future lists no known hazards. That statement does not establish safety for every person or pet. The same source does not flag the species as weedy.