Bloom Color

Blue

Interesting Notes

Hermaphroditic flowers are self-fertile. Seeds ripen in autumn. First year plants started in autumn coldframes or indoors in trays & put into the garden in spring will bloom by August, but in years after it will bloom beginning late June or July.

If deadheaded before the summer flowers go to seed it will bloom all the way to October or first frost. If permitted to go to seed, finches will visit the flowerheads to eat the seeds.

A useful herb, the highly aromatic leaves can be used for tea that tastes of licoricy mint, or dried for poupouri. Young leaves are tasty raw in salads or fresh fruit-cups; tougher older leaves can be added to cooked foods. Extracted oils have been used in food flavorings. Chinese herbalists believe it is useful for heart conditions, though there are no well-designed double-blind studies to lend credence to this traditional use. It may more certainly help relieve cold symptoms, as its mildly antiviral properties appear to be legitimate.Paghat's Garden

Growing and Maintenance Tips

Grow in full sun or part shade and average to dry soils. Foliage remains nicer with protection from mid day sun and without periods of drought. Very tolerant of a wide variety of garden conditions.