Printed at http://www.quackingrassnursery.com/index.cfm/
Image 1 of 2
Leucoseptrum stellipilum 'October Moon'
Japanese Shrub Mint
Plant Type:
SHADE PERENNIALSLeucoseptrum stellipilum 'October Moon' - Only 2 available. Broadly margined in bright golden green the rounded obovate leaves come to a point, each with prominent serrated edges, are more like the species save the gorgeous variegation. The contrasting center of each opposite leaf is in darker green. Buds emerge from stem tips, elongate and open to pink feathers late season. Have I mentioned that leucoseptrums with their ease of culture and interesting late season flowers drive me wild with zone envy? Byron W. from Long Island tells us that they are very good late season bee plants. In autumn these may arrive pruned.
Characteristics and Attributes for Leucoseptrum stellipilum 'October Moon'
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Late Summer / Autumn
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Spring / Summer / into Autumn
Nature Attraction
- Deer Resistant
Light
- Sun Tolerant
- Dappled Shade
Attributes
- Border
- Massing
- Accent
- Specimen
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Moderately Fast
Soil
- Draining
- Fertile
Origins
- Japan
Propagated By
- Cutting Grown
Genus Overview: Leucoseptrum
Common Name: Japanese Shrub Mint
Leucoseptrum stellipilum. This is a curious late-blooming clump forming mint relative. Note that I said "clump"; it harbors none, zilch, zero of the aggressive tendency to tenaciously dominate an area. With large and showy feather flowers they make a striking statement at the end of the growing season. Though hardy in USDA zone 5 we have determined that our growing season is not quite long enough to support the flowering event, at least in most years. The Japanese Shrub Mint all by itself gives me zone envy! They make interesting contrast plants in the late season garden. And the variegated, silver and gold-leaved forms provide lovely contrasting foliage to other garden compatriots all through the growing season. In the north site in full sun planted in fertile soil. Farther south they will be perfectly content in some open to dappled shade conditions; after all, Leucoseptrum originates in Japanese woodlands. Better in gardens with a longer growing season I expect that it would do nicely on Cape Cod with their moderated extended autumns and certainly does well on Long Island and southward. In fact, Byron W. from Long Island tells us that they are very good late season bee plants there. That's always good new! Cutting grown. We offer 2 separate species with associated cultivars, Leucoseptrum stellipilum and L. japonicum.