Boehmeria cylindrica - False Nettle

Boehmeria cylindrica is related to nettles but without the stinging hairs. It is a large perennial plant that, although not spectacular, provides an excellent backdrop for other garden plants, especially in cool and moist areas and semi-shaded locations that it prefers. Forming a lush clump adorned with large toothed leaves of a bright green colour from spring to autumn, this Boehmeria pairs particularly well with dark foliage. Still relatively uncommon, this fast-growing North American perennial also excels in the back of borders.

Boehmeria cylindrica belongs to the family of nettle plants and is naturally found in a wide area ranging from subtropical regions of South America to tropical regions of the Caribbean, and from Central America northwards to the temperate zone of southern Canada. It can be found in damp deciduous woods, floodplains, and ditches. It is a herbaceous plant with semi-woody stems that lose their leaves in winter, but the plant itself is perennial. Vegetation starts in spring and dries out in autumn. It consists of simple or branched stems forming an upright clump that reaches 80 cm (32in) to 1 m (3ft) in all directions, sometimes more. The stems bear opposite, ovate-shaped leaves with pointed ends, toothed edges, and measuring 8 to 20 cm (3 to 8in) in length, of a lime green colour. At the axils of the leaves, some spike-shaped hairs can be seen. The rather inconspicuous flowers appear in summer, at the axils of the upper leaves. The tiny flowers are green or whitish-green and are gathered in slender upright spikes measuring 1 to 3 cm (1in) in length. Male and female flowers usually appear on separate plants. They are pollinated by the wind.

Boehmeria cylindrica is an interesting plant to bring life to slightly shaded areas, in light and rich soil that is cool and moist, along with bugbanes Cimicifuga, meadowsweets9 Filipendula, and robust rodgersias Rodgersia, for example. It also looks beautiful in the back of borders, providing volume and complementing flowering shrubs. Hydrangeas, kalmias, and other acid-loving plants will also benefit from its exuberant and vibrant foliage.