By ordering now you get priority access to rare and limited varieties that may be sold out later in the season.
|
Common name
This is the non-scientific name used for a plant. A plant may have several common names, depending on the gardener's location. To further confuse the matter, a common name may be shared by several completely different plants. At Flowers by the Sea, we rely on the scientific name to identify our plants and avoid confusion.
|
Mint Leaf Lion's Ear or Klipp Dagga |
|
USDA Zones
The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones indicate the temperature zones where a plant is likely to thrive. It is determined by the average annual winter minimum temperature. Actual winter temperatures may be higher or lower than the average.
|
9 |
|
Size (h/w/fh)
The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height.
|
72"/60"/72" |
|
Exposure
This is the average amount of sunlight that a plant needs to thrive. Generally, full sun exposure is 6 or more hours of direct sun daily while partial shade is less than 4 hours of sun or dappled shade all day. Plants may tolerate more sunlight in cooler climates and need afternoon shade in extremely hot climates.
|
Full sun |
|
Soil type
This is the kind of soil that a plant needs to thrive. Most plants require a well-drained soil that allows the water to soak into the soil without becoming soggy. Sandy and clay soils can be improved by digging in compost to improve drainage.
|
Any |
|
Water needs
Plants have specific water requirements. Water loving means the plant needs regular watering to keep the soil moist. Average generally indicates applying 1 inch of water per week, or watering when the soil is dry to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. One inch of water is equal to 5 gallons per square yard of soil surface.
|
Average |
|
Pot size
This is the size of the pot your plant will arrive in. All will be well rooted & branched and ready to grow when planted. Our 3 1/2 inch pots have a volume of 1.0 pints or 473 ml.
|
3 1/2 inch deep pot |
|
Container plant?
"Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant.
|
Yes |
|
Hummingbird plant?
Hummingbirds have been observed regularly feeding from this plant's flowers.
|
Yes |
(Mint Lion's Ear or Klipp Dagga) Here's another plant for Dr. Seuss gardens. Mint Lion's Ear produces intermittent, shaggy whorls of fuzzy, rosy orange tubular flowers that butterflies and hummingbirds love. The blossoms burst from prickly, round clusters on stems as tall and slender as auto antennas.
As the stems grow taller, more whorls appear. In contrast to Leonotis menthifolia, this variety of Mint Lion's Ear has heart-shaped leaves. The forest green of the foliage quiets the floral heat.
Although native to Africa, this fragrant member of the mint family has naturalized in the American South where it grows easily in weak soils, such as along gravelly road shoulders. In Afrikaans, a klippie is a small stone, so that may be where this long-blooming plant gained the "Klipp" portion of its South African common name.
Historically, Africans have used Lion's Ear species medicinally to sooth coughs, dysentery, fevers and headaches. Although some Africans smoke various forms of Leonotis and call it Dagga -- also slang for marijuana -- the Cannabis genus is unrelated and contains different chemicals.
As to the scientific appellation nepetifolia, it indicates that the plant's foliage is similar to that of Nepeta or Catnip, another mint family plant.
Mint Lion's Ear grows easily and tolerates both heat and drought. It is a tall, wide subshrub, which means that it combines soft herbaceous perennial growth with some woodiness. Use it as a screen or background planting in full sun locations.
