Stachys officinalis subsp. heraclea
Wild betony with purple-magenta flowers and aromatic leaves. Traditional in Mediterranean folk medicine.
Summer betony needs between 5 and 8 hours of direct sunlight per day and is ideally planted in spring or autumn in a well-drained substrate suitable for Mediterranean aromatic plants. Water with moderate frequency, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent excess moisture. It is a hardy plant that tolerates frosts down to -8 °C, making it perfect for outdoor Mediterranean gardens without any special winter protection. In summer it blooms with showy purple flowers that attract pollinators and release a characteristic fragrance.