FLASH SALES: 20% off selected plants for your garden
Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.
Not to be missed! Special offer

Melittis melissophyllum Alba

Melittis melissophyllum Alba
Bastard Balm, Baum Leaf, Honey Balm

2,0/5
0 reviews
0 reviews
0 reviews
2 reviews
0 reviews

She flowered as soon as she arrived. I pruned her, but she didn't grow much afterwards. I'm waiting for the next one.

Hélène D., 06/10/2019

Leave a review → View all reviews →

Select delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

A beautiful perennial with immaculate white bilabiate corolla flowers.
Flower size
3 cm
Height at maturity
50 cm
Spread at maturity
30 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade, Shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
plantfit-full

Does this plant fit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Recommended planting time March to May
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time April to June
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

Melittis melissophyllum 'Alba' is a beautiful hardy perennial of light woodland with immaculate white flowers. Nicknamed wild balm, it should not be confused with the aromatic balm.

This melittis has a bushy habit and bears leaves that are 9cm (4in) long. They are deciduous, opposite, ovate, dentate, and pilous. From May to June, white flowers develop at the base of the leaves in a bilabiate corolla, 4cm (2in) long. They are tubular. The upper lip is concave and erect, while the lower lip is trilobed and spreading.

Melittis melissophyllum 'Alba' is an undemanding plant. It likes all soils that are moist and well-drained. It prefers semi-shade. Add compost at planting and mulch the soil to keep it cool in summer.

Melittis melissophyllum 'Alba' is ideal in shady rockeries or under trees, including under conifers, where water and nutrients may be lacking for other plants.

 

Melittis melissophyllum Alba in pictures

Melittis melissophyllum Alba (Flowering) Flowering
Melittis melissophyllum Alba (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time April to June
Flower size 3 cm
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 50 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Melittis

Species

melissophyllum

Cultivar

Alba

Family

Lamiaceae

Other common names

Bastard Balm, Baum Leaf, Honey Balm

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Planting and care

Melittis melissophyllum 'Alba' is an easy-to-grow perennial. Plant it preferably in partial shade, although it tolerates sunlight, in light soil, rich in humus. Add 1/3 sand and 1/3 compost to your topsoil if it is poor and/or heavy. Water regularly during the first months following planting.

Planting period

Recommended planting time March to May

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade, Shade
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
2/5
No reviews
No reviews
No reviews
No reviews

Spring flowering perennials

Haven't found what you were looking for?