Betony

The genus includes about 15 species, distributed mainly in the temperate zones of both hemispheres.

Rhizomatous perennials with erect stems up to 100 cm high. Leaves ovate or lanceolate, toothed at the margin. Flowers with a two-lipped corolla, pink, purple or yellow in color, gathered in spike-like or head-like terminal inflorescences. Fruit — a nutlet.

Among Ukrainian mixed herbs one can easily find Betonica officinalis: an excellent nectar source, a popular medicinal remedy, and a dye for wool. But however useful Betonica officinalis is, and however original its pink flowers that seem to have a turned-back lip, it is better assigned a place in the apothecary garden.
There is, however, another species, undemanding and ornamental - Betonica grandiflora (Betonica macrantha).

Large-flowered betony — Betonica grandiflora = (Betonica macrantha).

Grows on subalpine meadows of the Caucasus and Asia Minor. A perennial plant with a thick, short rhizome with a large number of adventitious roots. It has perennial shortened shoots. Plant height is determined by leaf size and is 20-30 cm. Leaves on long petioles, rounded or cordate, dark green, toothed at the margin. Large pink flowers are gathered in short, head-like inflorescences. The height of the leafless scape often reaches 50 cm. Vegetative growth begins in early May. Flowering occurs in late June — early July and lasts 2-3 weeks. The beautiful dark green leaves retain their ornamental value until the frosts.

Has ornamental forms: with white flowers — f. alba and with flowers ranging from pink to purple — f. superba. In cultivation since 1800.

Location: Sunny open sites are most suitable for cultivation, where betony clumps are more compact.

Soil: they prefer fertile, well-prepared soils.

Care: Spent flower stems should be removed, leaving a "tuft" of dark green leaves that retain their ornamental value until the frosts. It does not require frequent watering - it easily tolerates drought (in which case the leaves become stiff and are unattractive to grazing pests). However, it tolerates overwatering poorly: it loses its ornamental value and suffers from slugs. It overwinters without shelter - surviving even the harshest winters.

Propagation: by division of the clump and by seed, which are sown in autumn into boxes or the ground. With spring sowing the seedlings may be sparse. Seedlings flower in the third year. Clumps are divided into large parts in spring or early autumn and planted 30 cm apart. Shoots that have grown 5-10 cm can be broken off and used for green cuttings.