Description
Known botanically as prunella vulgaris. Considered by the Chinese to “change the course of a chronic disease.” A photogenic, unobtrusive, mild-tasting mint with pretty purple spikes that remind us of ajuga. Use young leaves and stems raw in salads, and use the flowers for tea-making. Very high antioxidant content and very attractive to bees and other pollinators. Frost-hardy perennial or ground cover in zones 4-9. Note: Stark Bro’s makes no medical claims about any curative qualities of this plant. Photo courtesy of Baker Creek Heirloom Seed.
- Days to germinate: 7-21 days
- Days to maturity: 50
- Start indoors: 4-6 weeks before last frost. Sow seeds, cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 weeks. Remove and allow to germinate at 70ºF.
- Transplant spacing: 8” – thin to 24”, using baby kale in salads.
- Seed spacing: 6” , then thin to 18”
- Seed depth: 1/8” deep
- Produce size: 2’ x 2’
- Yield: 1 head per seed
- Mature plant height: 2’
- Suitable for container growing: Yes.
- Year of discovery: Unknown; of ancient Chinese origin
