Meehania urticifolia (Japanese dead nettle)

Botanical name

Meehania urticifolia

Other names

Glechoma urticifolia, Cedronella urticifolia, Dracocephalum urticifolium, Japanese dead nettle, Wandering minstrel

Genus

Meehania Meehania

Species

M. urticifolia - M. urticifolia is a vigorous, clump-forming, spreading, deciduous perennial with broadly ovate to heart-shaped, scalloped, wrinkled, mid-green leaves and one-sided spikes of tubular, two-lipped, deep violet flowers in late spring and early summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Spreading, Clump-forming

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Colour

Flower

Blue, Purple in Spring; Purple, Blue in Summer

Foliage

Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs , Snails

General care

Pruning

Cut back in summer if becoming leggy. Otherwise, cut back in spring before new growth emerges.

Propagation

Sow seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Separate stolons in autumn or early spring.

Propagation methods

Seed, Division, Stem tip cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Meehania urticifolia (Japanese dead nettle) will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 2m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Underplanting, Low Maintenance, Ground Cover, Garden edging, Woodland, Cottage/Informal, Containers, City, Beds and borders

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial or full shade. Spreads quickly.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Shade

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Meehania urticifolia (Japanese dead nettle)

Common pest name

tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides brunneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/