I bought this plant, black horehound (Ballota nigra) ‘Archer’s Variegated’, about a month ago and just recently planted it in the ground (still in the pot) at my community plot where it will live through the winter until I can figure out what in the heck to do with it when the ground thaws this spring.
My original plan was to get myself a white horehound (Marrubium vulgare) plant for the experience in both growing the plant and using it medicinally. White horehound is a drought tolerant herb that attracts pollinators to the garden and is best known as an old-fashioned candy ingredient and cough remedy. While at the store I was distracted by the crinkly, variegated leaves of black horehound (Ballota nigra) and all my plans were lost. I can’t resist a nice variegated plant. It’s a personal weakness.
To sum things up: a fork in the road was presented and I made the wrong decision. Big mistake.
Variegated black horehound may be stunning to behold, but good god it smells terrible. I mean, truly, atrociously horrible.
One of the things I miss most during the winter months is the sensual experience of brushing my hands against fragrant, sun-warmed herbs. Over the years smelling every plant I come into contact with has become an impulse that has landed me in trouble on more than one occasion. A rather unfortunate introduction to Stinging nettle comes to mind!
I often find myself touching plants unconsciously, before I’ve had a chance to register the potential hazard ahead. How will I stop myself from accidentally bathing my hands in the repulsive black horehound? This is one of those times when an out-of-the-way patch of garden comes in handy. Unfortunately, tiny gardens don’t have an out-of-the-way spot or back of the garden to tuck plants into — it’s all up front!
Oh my. That’s unfortunate. Does the odor stick on your hands? Some smells can be hard to eradicate.
I looks as though someone splattered white paint onto some spearmint, it’s very pretty! Too bad it’s stinky :/
Lovely plant sometime the most lovely are really smelly:-).
I just am just discovering you right now on Knowledge TV.. Bravo for your projects in Toronto!
I am a “new” avid gardener in Burnaby Vancouver.Lived 10years in South Africa and 20 in Hong Kong.
I grow loads of Kale the Red Russian and the curly type .. had 36 Tomato plants 2m tall this summer. God, Julienne, your Tomato look amazing.
I wonder the curly green/grey type has not bloomed at all and the aphids had their field day. So I am wondering do you know if it will grow through the winter? They are 3 feet tall now. I have some LATE tomatoes now that stagnated 3month in seedling shape and now suddenly in Oct started to grow so now they are in growing in my living room. :-) Great to discover you.
Lovely plant sometime the most lovely are really smelly:-).
I just am just discovering you right now on Knowledge TV.. Bravo for your projects in Toronto!
I am a “new” avid gardener in Burnaby Vancouver.Lived 10years in South Africa and 20 in Hong Kong.
I grow loads of Kale the Red Russian and the curly type .. had 36 Tomato plants 2m tall this summer. God, Julienne, your Tomato look amazing.
I wonder the curly green/grey type has not bloomed at all and the aphids had their field day. So I am wondering do you know if it will grow through the winter? They are 3 feet tall now. I have some LATE tomatoes now that stagnated 3month in seedling shape and now suddenly in Oct started to grow so now they are in growing in my living room. :-) Great to discover you.
Helen: No more than any other type of mint.
Vic: Was that Recreating Eden?
I’m not familiar with Burnaby’s climate. I’m assuming it is not as temperate as Vancouver (?) If it is, it could very well grow through the winter. If it’s colder, it might survive and come back in the spring (mine sometimes do).
Ah yes, horehound can be smelly, even in the non-variegated form. I remember an elderly neighbour used to make horehound cough medicine and it had the most peculiar smell when she boiled it, like a cross between very dirty washing and a long-dead mouse!
Allotment blogger: I like your description.
I have no experience with black horehound, but white horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is a really great medicine (coughs, sore throat, etc). By itself, it tastes awfully bitter, though. I mix the dried herb with mints and lemon balm for a cold-busting tea.
One more thing, white horehound can be pretty invasive if you let it go to seed. The seedheads become these little burrs that stick to everything. So clip it when it’s in flower.