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Melittis melissophyllum


Melittis melissophyllum (Melittis melissophyllum)

I like this rather unusual plant.



Comments on this photo

 

It looks like a good bee plant

17 May, 2009

 

very pretty

17 May, 2009

amy
Amy
 

I haven,t seen this one before , it,s almost like a Penstemon flower .......

17 May, 2009

 

As Mageth says definitely looks like the type of plant to attract the bees.

17 May, 2009

 

Very unusual havent seen it before!

17 May, 2009

 

Also known as Bastard Balm.... Has it been listening to too many stories about the (birds and the) bees, perhaps? There's a good article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/3335387/How-to-grow-Melittis-melissophyllum.html
The flowers do look like orchids, don't they?
Also, Wikipedia refers to its attractiveness to bees:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melittis_melissophyllum

17 May, 2009

 

Oooh, Elke - what a horrible name! Thanks for the links, though.

17 May, 2009

 

Such a shame, for such a pretty little plant. Haven't been able to find any info on how or why it got its common name... Apparently it's part of the mint family.

17 May, 2009

 

Really? If this rain ever stops, I'll pinch and sniff a leaf!

17 May, 2009

 

According to Claire Woods at https://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/plant_display.asp?prodid=2886&account=none , "it has fragrant leaves cloaked in soft hairs that can be used to make tea. "
And "is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae)." at http://www.first-nature.com/flowers/melittis_melissophyllum.asp
The aroma should be more honey-like than minty, apparently.
We are so lucky to have so much information available so easily these days.
Hope the rain has stopped there - it hasn't here...

18 May, 2009

 

Very odd day today - I went to my very favourite GC down in Devon, and it POURED all the way, but luckily for me, cleared up when I got there. Husband says it has been rain/sun /rain/sun here all day!

I did manage to plant a few of my 'finds' when I got back.

18 May, 2009

 

That is pretty.

18 May, 2009

 

Yes, that is pretty :)

23 May, 2009

 

Thank you - glad you like it! I do! :-)

23 May, 2009



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See who else is growing Melittis melissophyllum.

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This photo is of "Melittis melissophyllum" in Spritzhenry's garden

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