ballota


Here's my question about ballota.  I was given this plant five years ago by
a friend who picked it up at a plant sale.  The tag said "Ballota, from
Crete."  I'd like to know which species I had -- unfortunately, my ballota
died due to poor drainage and I'd like to find new ones for my new
mediterranean beds (which will have excellent drainage). It might be (have
been) Ballota psuedodictimis (spelling?), but I haven't been able to find
pictures or a good description of this plant.  I've seen pictures of Ballota
acetabulosa, and mine doesn't have long stems with the flowering calyxes
rising away from the base, rather, the plant remains a tidy mound, 40cm x
70cm, with the round calyxes blooming close to the bush. It has soft gray
leaves like lamb's ears (stachys), which are round rather than heart-shaped.
Basically, it looks like a furry artemesia "powis castle."   Would anyone
know of a source?

Deb Ferber
Seattle, Washington, USA
zone 8

P.S.  I've seen a "Bollata nigra" at a local nursery, and the leaves have
the same shape and furriness, but are much larger!  Could this be a cultural
variation? This is all a mysery to me.



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