Stachys sylvatica aka Hedge Woundwort

Stachys sylvatica, or hedge woundwort, is in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is a herbaceous perennial: a plant with soft stems that lives for years. It comes from a broad range with a temperate climate. Kew lists Macaronesia, Europe, central Siberia and the western Himalaya. Britain and Ireland also form part of its native range. Other names are common hedge nettle and hedge stachys. Chicago Botanic Garden lists it as a perennial too.

The plant grows in clumps and sheds its leaves each year. Garden plants reach about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] tall. The RHS gives a height of 2.6 feet [0.8 metres]. Clumps spread about 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres] across. They reach full size in two to five years. Fine hairs coat the stems. A cut across a stem shows its square shape. The leaves grow in pairs and look like nettle leaves. Crush the leaves and they give off a strong smell. Both leaves and stems give the plant its nettle-like look.

Pink blooms appear from summer into autumn. They grow in whorls, or rings, on upright flower spikes. These spikes rise above the leaves while in bloom. The RHS suggests this plant for cottage and informal gardens. It also lists wildflower meadows and wildlife gardens as good sites. The clumps and summer blooms suit these less formal sites. Allow for both its height and full spread when choosing a place.

Grow hedge woundwort in part shade, with shelter from exposure. The RHS lists sites that face east, south or west. Give it soil with a medium level of nutrients. Keep the soil moist, but let excess water drain away. It can grow in chalk, clay, loam or sand. Its stated range includes acid, neutral and alkaline soils. This gives gardeners a choice of soil types. Moist soil and good drainage remain key to its needs. The RHS gives it a hardiness rating of H7. In UK growing conditions, this covers winter cold below −4°F [−20°C].

It needs little routine care and no pruning. Grow new plants from seed, or split well-grown clumps. The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. Its profile names no specific pest to watch for. The supplied sources give no details on edible parts or toxicity. They give no supported account of use as medicine either. These gaps do not prove that the plant is safe.