Bastard balm

Melittis melissophyllum

Layer 4 · Herbaceous
Attracts pollinators

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Perennial woodland plant with large white and pink flowers and lemon balm-scented leaves. The flowers are very attractive to bumblebees and bees. In the food forest it occupies the herbaceous layer in semi-shaded areas, supporting pollinators along edges and under the tree canopy.

It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.

See which trees bastard balm grows well with

These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Medium
Light: Partial shade
Size: Herbaceous perennial up to 0.5 m
Mature diameter: 0.4 m
Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Limestone
Climates: Hot, dry Mediterranean, Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Mountain / cold

Calendar

January
February
March — Planting
April — Planting
May — Harvest
June — Harvest
July — Harvest
August
September — Planting
October — Planting
November
December

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: The fresh or dried leaves are used to make infusions with digestive, antispasmodic and mildly sedative properties.

Where to buy

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.