Stachys albotomentosa

Stachys albotomentosa (Hidalgo Stachys) - An evergreen sprawling perennial to 12 to 18 inches tall by 2 to 3 feet wide with felt textured leaves that are pale green above with a whitish underside and are pleasantly aromatic (some say the smell is that of the popular soda 7-Up). The flowers rise above the foliage in summer and are peach to salmon color when they emerge and age to brick red. Plant in full coastal sun or part shade and water occasionally to regularly. Evergreen and hardy to 25 F but will resprout from the base in cooler climates. A Portland gardener told us that this plant does well in Portland, surviving to rebloom in the fall after all but the coldest winters. It is also resistant to deer predation attractive to butterflies and bees and hummingbirds.