Japanese name: タマキセワタ（球被綿） Scientific name:Phlomoides tuberosa
[Overview]
A perennial about 0.4–1.5 m tall.
It has underground tubers.
The stem is erect with 4 ridges and is often tinged with reddish purple.
Leaves are simple and opposite, elliptic-lanceolate to triangular-lanceolate, 5–20 cm long, with toothed margins.
On the upper surface of the leaves, the veins are sunken and wrinkled.
The leaves at the base of the stem have long petioles.
Widely spaced verticillasters at the stem tips bear 3–10 purple to pink flowers each, about 2 cm long.
The fruit is a schizocarp.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It prefers slightly dry sandy or gravelly soil with good sunlight, drainage and ventilation.
It dislikes excess moisture, so for potted plants water thoroughly after the soil has dried, and for plants in the ground rainfall is sufficient.
Too much fertilizer makes it leggy and prone to falling over, so apart from base fertilizer, apply it sparingly.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
