Chelonopsis moschata

Chelonopsis are perennial woody-based plants. Forming dense clusters of tubular purple flowers from autumn until the first frost, Chelonopsis moschata is a plant native to Japan, easy to cultivate in partially shaded and cool areas. Little known in our gardens, it is a fabulous and long-lasting plant that lives for many years and deserves to be discovered.

This exclusively Asian genus comprises no less than 16 species. Chelonopsis moschata was named by Miquel in 1865 when he described the genus. This plant belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is endemic to Japan, on the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu, where it grows in mountain forests between 400 and 1600 m (1312 and 5249ft) above sea level. It forms a beautiful dense clump with trailing stems. It can reach a height of 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in), or even more under optimal conditions. Its large dark pink flowers, tinged with violet, measuring 4 to 5 cm (2in) long, appear in late summer along the upper half of the stems, and continue until the first frost. Its lovely deciduous dark green foliage consists of simple, lanceolate, dentate leaves. They somewhat resemble those of raspberries or ornamental brambles.

Chelonopsis moschata prefers moist but well-drained soils and thrives in partially shaded to gently sunny exposures. Ideally the substrate should be loamy-sandy or loamy-gravelly. Remove dry foliage at the end of winter.

Chelonopsis moschata is primarily a plant for cool partial shade, where it will fully express its potential. It can be associated with other perennials that are not afraid of competition from tree or shrub roots. Pair it with Solomon's Seal (Uvularia grandiflora), hostas, ferns, hardy fuchsias, creeping bugleweed, Japanese anemones, Balkan foxglove, Tricyrtis, and a carpet of periwinkles.