Japanese name: バロタ プセウドディクタムヌス Scientific name:Ballota pseudodictamnus
[Overview]
An evergreen perennial or subshrub 30–50 cm tall.
It forms a mound, and the base of the stem becomes woody.
The whole plant is densely covered with woolly hairs, has a felt-like texture, and looks whitish.
The leaves are simple and opposite, nearly round-ovate, 2–3 cm long and 1.5–2 cm wide, thick, with the veins sunken into wrinkles.
The leaf margin has low teeth.
Whorled cymes bear small white to pink two-lipped flowers.
There are 4 stamens.
The calyx is saucer-shaped with 10 teeth.
The fruit consists of 4 nutlets.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or shoot cuttings.
It tolerates winter temperatures down to -10°C, but it is safer to keep it at -5°C or above.
In areas with heavy frost, grow it in a pot and bring it indoors for winter, or protect it from frost with mulch.
It prefers a dry, sunny, well-drained, airy place and dislikes heat and humidity.
Take care not to let it get too wet; for potted plants water thoroughly after the soil has dried, and for plants in the ground rainfall is sufficient.
It is best fertilized sparingly, and if basal fertilizer is applied, nothing more is particularly necessary.
If the branches grow too long or dead leaves appear, cut it back low and axillary buds will grow out.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
