A large deciduous shrub that can reach around 1 to 1.5m in height Elsholtzia stauntonii is grown for its pink flowers.
The common name is Chinese mint bush and as it flowers late in the season, late summer to winter, it makes a great addition to the garden border.
The foliage id large and a mid green, aromatic when rubbed. It is the flowers that appear in dense spikes that are the main feature, and these are he’d upright above the foliage.
The leaves are lance shaped and will turn red in autumn adding colour to the garden before winter.
This is a plant that will attract bees, birds and butterflies to the garden late in the season.
Elsholtzia stauntonii is related to Buddleia and can be grown in similar conditions. It is used to growing in poor soils and is a very easy care plant.
Pruning Elsholtzia stauntonii
This is plant that flowers on new growth, so prune appropriately.
The best time to prune is in late winter when the the plant is best pruned hard, in most cases it is pruned right back to the ground or around 12 inches, 30 cm above the ground.
The more you prune it the more flowers it will provide.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Elsholtzia stauntonii
- Family – Lamiaceae
- Common Names – Chinese Mint Bush or Shrub.
- Position – Full sun
- Soil – Humus rich well drained.
- Height – To around 1.5 metres often less.
- Spread to around 1.2 metres.
- Flowers – Pink to Purple spikes held above the foliage
- Flowering time – Late summer to winter.
- Foliage – Deciduous, toothed, fragrant and mid green.
- Propagation = From seed and from softwood cuttings taken in early summer.