Meehania urticifolia

Meehania urticifolia, formerly known as Cedronella urticifolia, Dracocephalum sinense, or Dracocephalum urticifolium, is a vigorous little perennial stoloniferous plant related to deadnettles that quickly forms a beautiful ground cover. It forms a thick carpet of leaves that persists if the winter is not too harsh, coming to life in spring with an abundance of pleasantly scented purple flowers. This hardy and undemanding plant can be used like ivy, in all shaded or semi-shaded areas of the garden. It is stunning along a pathway, in a moist rockery, or at the edge of woodland.

Meehania urticifolia belongs to the Lamiaceae family, just like mint, sage, and deadnettles. It is a perennial and hardy species native to high-altitude forests in China, Japan, Korea, and eastern Russia. The plant develops stoloniferous stems, which root at ground level, as well as upright stems that bear leaves. It grows quite rapidly, reaching about 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) in height and spreads without a theoretical limit. The foliage is evergreen unless the winter is severe. It is composed of small heart-shaped, toothed, and hairy leaves, of a fairly light green colour. Flowering takes place in May-June. Short upright flower stalks emerge from the leaf axils, each carrying 3 to 12 4cm (2in) two-lipped, blue-lavender flowers, punctuated and streaked with mauve, in upright spikes. They emit a delicate fragrance and are popular with pollinating insects.

Meehania urticifolia prefers moist to wet soils, but it can tolerate moderate summer drought, especially if planted away from direct sunlight. It makes a charming ground cover along a pathway, on a bank, in a slightly damp rockery, or under flowering shrubs. It requires little maintenance. To accompany it, consider, for example, other shade perennials such as epimediums, corydalis, Lamium galeobdolon (that it resembles), macrorrhizum geraniums, Tiarella cordifolia, and Tellima grandiflora.