Prunella Ground Cover

About Prunella

• Prunellas are herbaceous perennials, meaning the foliage dies back each winter and re-emerges in the spring. The 2- to 3-inch leaves form a dense mat at ground level. In early summer, large self-heal puts up 12-inch spikes of flowers clustered in a whorl at the top of the stem. The hooded flowers resemble old-fashioned snapdragons. In cool parts of their range, prunellas continue to bloom until the fall. Large self-heal is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 through 8.

Culture

• Grow prunellas in full sun or partial shade; the warmer your summers, the more shade the plants should have. These plants are adaptable to a wide variety of soil conditions, growing well in ordinary garden soil. Rich soil encourages vigorous growth, a useful trait when using prunella as a ground cover. Deadhead spent flowers to prevent seed formation, as the plant will self-seed freely, but the volunteers rarely are the same color as the parent plant. Prunella can be divided in spring or fall.

Landscape Uses

• Due to its spreading habit, large self-heal is a good seasonal ground cover, but bear in mind that the soil will be bare during the winter. Prunella also makes a good edging plant for perennial beds and performs well in containers.

Cultivars

• The prunella cultivar Freelander Blue won the prestigious Fleuroselect Gold Medal in 2006. This dwarf blue cultivar blooms the first year from seed. Older cultivars include Pink Loveliness, with bright pink flowers, and Purple Loveliness, with deep purple blooms. Little Red Riding Hood, also sold as Rotkappchen, has unusual, bright red flowers.