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Physical description: This spreading plant trails on the ground with
long stems which root as they come in contact with the soil.
It can reach 9-15 in. tall and spread 18-24 in. easily in a short
period of time. The evergreen leaves are opposite, medium green,
1 to 3 in. long, toothed on the edges, and softly pubescent on
both sides. They have silver marks, more pronounced on the variety
"Hermann's pride", and are aromatic when crushed. Flowering
occurs in late spring to early summer, and flowers are brilliant
yellow, ½ to ¾ in. long, and are borne in whorls
of 5 to 15 flowers. The fruit is non-ornamental.
Optimal growing conditions: Yellow archangel performs best in well-drained,
fertile and acidic soils. In those conditions, the growth is
fast. This species tolerates a wide range of soil conditions,
and many gardeners plant it in infertile sandy soils to slow
the growth. Yellow archangel does well in moderate shade; full
sun is tolerated, but as this species is not highly drought tolerant,
an occasional watering during the summer may be necessary in
sunny locations. Winter hardiness: Zones 4-9.
Susceptibility to pests and diseases: Leaf blight is the main disease problem. Mites
are the main pest problem, but slugs and snails may also cause
some damage.
Use:
Yellow archangel may be used as a ground cover in dry shady areas
because few species are able to tolerate such conditions. The
aggressive nature of this species may become a problem because
it may crowd out other perennials, but the variety "Hermann's
pride" is less aggressive than others.
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