Stachys 'Hummelo' (Betony) // 2019 Perennial Plant of the Year 

Thank you. It is great to hear you are considering it. If you haven't already, you might like to think about subscribing to our channel because we put special emphasis on offering (ONLY) the best "doers"... ones that will "stand on their own feet" and not need mollycoddling! If something proves weak and persnickety, we won't grow It!

It is great to hear you have discovered this truly wonderful perennial.😁👍😊💚👏👏 It is certainly one of the lesser known perennials (especially here in the US), one that is much more (understandably) popular with European gardeners, but now we are glad to say, that many people (like yourself) are able to find and enjoy it thriving here in our Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern region. This is part of what we are trying to do here on this channel and at our partnering garden centers: grownbyoverdevest.com/retail-locator/..... Introducing everyone to the best (sometimes undiscovered) performing varieties, ones that we've trialed and selected over the years and know that they should be enjoyed more. Have you considered subscribing to our channel? If you haven't, you might like to think about subscribing, because once you are subscribed, each time we post a new video (which we are doing all the time), it will turn up automatically in your feed. And, as you find our videos helpful, it would be great if you could kindly share the links with your friends and click the "like" button too, because that helps other people find the information as well. Finally, now that our partnering garden centers: grownbyoverdevest.com/retail-locator/ are fully stocked with fresh new plants, if you live in our Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern region be sure to stop in and take a look…. Because that’s where you will discover all sorts of beautiful, tried and true and cutting edge, top performing selections, including lost more, really superb and often more unusual selections. 😉👏

Just dropped $300 on getting more of these. Flipping workhorse! I'm trying to decrease maintenance also and this totally fits the bill.

Yes, over the years we've grown some lovely selections of Betony including your S. monieri (of which it is believed that this one is a selection). Certainly in comparison, we've been impressed by the healthy growth, inform habit and consistently.... more concentrated flower production. Which is why we believe this is the better garden form. Have you subscribed to our channel? If you haven't, you might like to think about it, because once you are subscribed, each time we post a new video (which we are doing all the time), you will find that they will turn up automatically in your feed. And, as you find our videos helpful, it would be great if you could kindly share the links with your friends and click the "like" button too, because that will help other people find out about the information as well. And, now that we have entered the main planting season (spring through late Fall) try to visit our partnering garden centers: grownbyoverdevest.com/retail-locator/. They are located all over our Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern region, and that's where you will find all sorts of beautiful, tried and true and cutting edge, top performing selections, so be sure to stop in regularly throughout the seasons because there will be a steady stream of fresh shipments coming in weekly.

@@OverdevestNurseries David isn't it?? I will indeed.. I'm a long time watching your channel, we've spoken before.. keep trucking & very much appreciated for all you do & for replying.. Slan Go foill 💚

Thank you for letting us know. They (like many plants) are really impressive when grouped in quantity.

It is hard to say without seeing the conditions / site etc. , but on the face of it, if your plants are growing well and are nice and healthy it seems they are doing OK and will (when they are ready) they will start flowering. Sometimes, young juvenile plants get into a growthy vegetative stage and take a while to reach maturity. This selection is normally very reliable and in a way it is good that they are establishing and making healthy clumps because as perennials that's what you want. Once they become established and settle down into a mature stage, they should flower for years. If you are still concerned about them, and they don't look healthy and green, then maybe contact your local extension service or a knowledgeable master gardener to see if they can take a look and help. Have you subscribed to our channel? If you haven't, you might like to think about subscribing, because once you are subscribed, each time we post a new video (which we are doing all the time), it will turn up automatically in your feed. And, as you find our videos helpful, it would be great if you could kindly share the links with your friends and click the "like" button too, because that helps other people find the information as well.

@@OverdevestNurseries thank you so much for your reply! They are green and healthy and I figured they will bloom next year (hopefully 🙏🏼) I will most definitely subscribe to the channel. I’m new to gardening, taking it more seriously, to create habitat for birds and pollinators. I’ve been taking courses at COD the local community college, Roy Diblik has been our instructor on perennial plant communities which has been amazing ❤️ learning so much!

Thanks for a great question. Here's what I do..... I usually trim away the bulk (about two thirds or three quarters) of the old growth in late Fall or early winter, just for aesthetic reasons. At that time, the foliage has been knocked back by hard frosts, it is finished growing and is as you describe.... not too pretty looking! Then in early spring, I trim away the remaining stems and any old foliage debri, ready to make way for the new growth that will begin pushing up from beneath the ground as soon as the conditions begin warming up. There's nothing like a good early spring clean up, and starting off with a clean, neat and tidy site (After a long cold winter it feels good to get out)! I usually leave it until the weather begins to warm up, but if we get a mild spell, and it is "bugging" you.... there's no reason why you couldn't remove (at least) some of it and then catch the rest later before the new growth begins. 😄✂👍

@@OverdevestNurseries thank you! I suspected new spring growth came up fresh from the ground every year but there’s a surprising lack of good 4-season care for hummelo online!

It is a pretty hardy plant when grown in the ground Zone 4. So, it would be worth trying. But, a lot depends on the size of the container (the more soil volume the less fluctuation in soil temperatures). Also, it would be important to make sure the compost is free draining and also where it is stored for the winter (i.e. a sheltered spot) and if the pot can be insulated in some way to prevent it freezing solid.

In growing it now for several years, we have not seen any obvious pest issues.