Boehmeria platanifolia - False Nettle

Boehmeria platanifolia, sometimes called the Sycamore-leaf false nettle, is a beautiful Chinese perennial plant related to nettles that is interesting for its magnificent foliage devoid of stinging hairs. Its large velvety leaves with silvery hues, soft to the touch, bring life to cool and shaded areas of the garden and enhances all neighbouring plants.  This species is very resistant to frosts, down to a minimum of -15°C (5°F). Boehmeria are robust perennials that grow quickly, valuable in undergrowth and for quickly filling out the back of flower beds.

Boehmeria platanifolia belongs to the family of nettle plants and is native to China, Korea, and Japan, where it grows in moist undergrowth. It is a semi-woody herbaceous plant that is deciduous in winter and perennial from its stump. Vegetation appears in spring and dries up in autumn. It consists of simple or branched stems, forming an upright clump measuring 80 cm (32in) to 1 m (3ft) in all directions, sometimes more ,up to 1.50 m (5ft) in all directions. The copper-coloured young shoots are decorative in spring. The flexible stems bear round-shaped leaves, roughly toothed at the edges, slightly crinkled, measuring 12 to 18 cm (5 to 7in) long. They are covered with fine branching hairs that give them a soft green colour with glaucous and silvery hues. The quite insignificant flowering takes place in August-September, in the axils of the upper leaves.  The very small flowers are whitish-green and are grouped in slender trailing spikes. Male and female flowers usually appear on separate individuals. They are pollinated by the wind.

Boehmeria platanifolia is an interesting plant to bring life to somewhat shaded areas, liking in rich and moist soil.  It grows well in the company of Cimicifuga (Bugbane), Filipendula (Meadowsweet), and Rodgersia (Rodgers flower), for example.  It is also beautiful in the back of flower beds, adding volume and enhancing neighbouring flowering shrubs. Hydrangeas, kalmias, and other heathland plants will be enhanced by its exuberant and bright foliage.