Reserving a corner in the garden where native herbs can grow is always a good idea, as it is a way to attract beneficial insects such as bees or butterflies with almost no effort. One of the most beautiful plants is the one known by the scientific name hairy ballot.
It is very decorative, but it also resists drought quite well. Its small but precious flowers are very showy, so much so that it is highly recommended to even have it as a potted plant. Discover it.
Origin and characteristics
Our protagonist is a suffrutic plant whose scientific name is hairy ballot, although it is popularly known as horehound. It is native to the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa, specifically in the Maghreb. Reaches a height of between 20 and 80 centimeters, with fine, brown, erect stems, from which sprout oval and petiolate leaves of 2-8 by 1,5-7cm. The flowers are grouped in an inflorescence formed by 4-10 whorls of about 3-4cm in diameter. The fruit is a nocula -that is, a dry fruit that does not open when ripe- of 2-2,5 by 1,5mm, ovoid, brown in color.
It is a very good plant for health, since it is purifying, febrifugal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. It is taken as an infusion.
What are their cares?
If you want to have it in your garden or patio, we recommend providing the following care:
- Location: the hairy ballot It has to be outside, in full sun.
- Earth:
- Pot: universal growing substrate mixed with 30% perlite.
- Garden: it is indifferent as long as it has good drainage.
- Irrigation: it has to be watered about 3 times a week in summer and somewhat less the rest of the year, especially if it is grown in pots.
- Subscriber: from the beginning of spring to the end of summer it can be paid with organic fertilizers once a month.
- Multiplication: by seeds in spring.
- Rusticity: withstands cold and frosts down to -4ºC.
What did you think of this plant?