Stachys pycnantha

Short-spiked Hedge Nettle is a light green perennial with globe-shaped, compact, clusters of white/maroon flowers and fragrant leaves. Commonly associated with serpentinite soil. This perennial needs more irrigation than just rainfall in southern California gardens, but will often grow in boggy bad soil that little else can grow in; there, Pale Hedge Nettle thrives. But Stachys pycnantha will also grow in a conventional, watered garden. Its the green native in an English garden that lettuce is in a ham sandwich. Adult butterflies sip nectar from the flowers. Stachys pycnantha would grow well on pond edges, lawn edges, or near a dripping birdbath, in sun or afternoon shade.