Bastard Balm

I beg your pardon! This is indeed the common name of this unusual perennial. The botanical name is "Melittis melissophyllum". More on the name later.

This plant is in the mint family (Lamiaceae), and the leaves do resemble mint, but are very stiff and upright. The leaves have an odd fragrance when crushed. Many describe it as honey or lemon scented, although to me, it has a more chemical/medicinal smell. The flowers are orchid-like, white with a mauve/pink lip.

A friend shared this plant with me a few years ago, and every year, I'm more impressed with it. This year, it looks better than ever, and it has become a favorite of mine. Apparently, it is somewhat rare and not easily found in nurseries. I couldn't even find it listed in any of my books on perennials or herbs, although it could be listed under a different name.

Despite being related to mint, this is a well-behaved plant. It forms a tidy mound and has not spread. Many descriptions refer to it as a woodland plant. It hails from the UK and Ukraine, where it is found in woodland areas and along roadways. In our garden, it gets mostly sun this time of year, before the redbud above it leafs out. It does not seem to mind the sun and is flourishing.

Now, back to that name. In doing some research, I found that the prefix "bastard" was common in historical botany to refer to a lesser hybrid, or an imperfect version of a superior plant. Bastard Balm is similar to other balsamic plants, but it lacks the essential oils found in true balm (like lemon balm). 

Another interesting fact - Bastard Balm was once called "melissa' after the Greek word for "bee". It is referred to as a pollinator and bee-loving plant, but I haven't noticed bees on my plant.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy