Native to Europe, these creeping perennials spread by surface and underground runners to form low, dense foliage mats. Upright spikes of hooded flowers rise above the leaves in summer. Though names are much con- fused, all species are tough, tolerant, and deep rooted. They are useful for small-scale ground covers and can endure the occasional footstep; set 1 feet apart. Choose location carefully, though: These plants are too invasive to risk near choice, delicate rock garden plants. After bloom, shear off spent flower spikes to keep the planting neat and prevent seed formation.
- Leaves to 4 inches long; stems to 1 feet tall, bearing spikes of 1- to 1 inches., purple blossoms.
- Varieties include 'Blue Loveliness', 'Freelander Blue' (compact grower with violet-blue blooms over a long period), 'Pink Loveliness', 'Purple Loveliness' (lilac-purple touched with white), and 'White Loveliness'.
- Hybrid 'Summer Daze' is compact, at 10 inches high and wide, with rich pink flowers.
- This is the common species.
- Smaller in all its parts than Prunella grandiflora, with leaves to 2 inches long, 1 feet stems, and purple or pink flowers just inches long.
- Prunella v.
- incisa has deeply cut leaves.