Chinese Motherwort or Leonurus heterophyllus
The Chinese name is ‘Yi Mu Cao’ literally translated as ‘Benefit mother herb’. Leonurus i-mu-ts’ao. Used widely in Chinese medicine for centuries. Leonurus artemisia, Leonurus heterophyllus and Leonurus sibericus are all referred to as Chinese Motherwort in different sources. It may well be that Leonurus japonicus is the correct name, however it is difficult to determine.
Chinese Motherwort will grow to nearly 2m and is fairly easy to grow. Planted in winter Leonorus heterophyllus flowers from Summer through to Autumn.
With an appearance similar to some salvias, the plant does have attractive pink flowers that appear as terminal flower spikes above the mid green foliage.
This is a plant that grows perhaps a little to easily for most gardeners and is regarded as invasive. More so in warmer climates than in cooler areas. So we do not recommend this plant as an ornamental for the garden.