Is Freelander Blue Prunella a Perennial?

Description

• "Freelander Blue" self-heal is a mat-forming perennial that grows 6 to 12 inches tall, with a spread of 12 to 18 inches. The flowers are distinctive, with the top lip smaller than the three-part bottom lip. They are borne in spikes from late spring through fall, rising on the square stems characteristic of members of the mint family. The glossy green leaves are oval-shaped and opposite each other on the stems. The plants spread vigorously by underground rhizomes.

Culture

• "Freelander Blue" is somewhat unusual for a perennial plant, as it will bloom the first year from seed sown in very early spring. Once in the garden, it should be planted in sun to part shade. As with most flowering plants, full sun will result in the most flowers. The plants need little maintenance, except for water during dry spells. After the first flush of bloom, shear back the spent flower stalks to stimulate rebloom. Plants may also have to be trimmed back periodically to keep them within bounds.

Uses

• With its low, spreading habit "Freelander Blue" can be used as a groundcover, and is particularly effective in the partial shade near the drip lines of trees and shrubs. Because the plants are low-growers, they can also be used as edgers or rock garden subjects. However, in those situations, gardeners have to be vigilant that the self-heal does not spread beyond desired boundaries. One way of containing the vigorous plants is to grow them in containers, where they can serve as "fillers," with larger plants used as visual accents.

Companion Plants

• The blue-purple spikes of self-heal go well with flowering plants whose colors are on the opposite side of the color wheel. In partial shade, use it with the taller yellow foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8. In full sun, combine self-heal with the golden, daisy-like flowers or tall tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora), hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. For something a little more formal, use self-heal to cover the bare earth at the base of containerized standard roses like "Graham Thomas (Rosa "Graham Thomas"), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9.