Leucosceptrum stellipilum ‘Ogon'

I was asked about this plant when I posted several pictures of it earlier this season, so I decided to tell  more about it in a separate post.

It's Leucosceptrum stellipilum ‘Ogon'.

In this picture, it's the furthest plant on the right, next to Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), with the hardy Schefflera (Schefflera delavayi) in the foreground.

I bought it from  Far Reaches Farm during the Heronswood Open Garden in September 2013.

The thing which sold that plant to me was its long and highly textured, scaly, with perfect geometric pattern, not opened yet blooms.

Just look at them!

This is its description from the Far Reaches Farm's website:

This tasteful perennial from Japan bides its time in the shade garden as the floral hoi polloi scrabble for attention during spring and summer. Once the fracas has died down, this takes center stage in September and October with its intricately constructed buds like little pieces of sculpture which open to fuzzy light lavender flowers. These are hefty plants.

	Family: Lamiaceae Hardiness: Zone 5 Mature Size: 3' Exposure: Shade Bloom Time: September - October Moisture Needs: Average to Moist Deer Resistant: Yes Origin: Japan

I planted my Leucosceptrum  in a shady spot on the northern side of our house,

in front of a big hydrangea bush.  It is seen in the following picture behind the metal arch.

The soil there is average and consists of native sandy dirt and some added compost.

During dry spells, the spot gets enough moisture from the sprinkler system.

When it's raining, it can get a bit soggy there.

This Japanese woodlands' native is pleased by the shade of morning sun, which it gets here, and good moisture.

As the Far Reaches Farm description says, it has fuzzy light lavender flowers:

And fuzzy they are!

Leucosceptrum stellipilum is also called Japanese shrub mint, and, like other mints, is avoided by deer and rabbits.

When my plant gets some sun, its bottle-brush  flower spikes really stand out with the dark background from two hydrangeas.
Ironically, Leucosceptrum leaves are similar to those of hydrangea, and there is no contrast between them; however, I didn't have another good spot for it.

Candle-like flowers are very showy.

Lightly velvety serrated leaves vary in color from dark green to lighter green later in season.

It grew nicely into a decent size, about  2 1/2 feet (75 sm), shrub, died back in winter  and overwintered well in my zone 8 garden.

This is the description of Leucosceptrum from  Plant Delights Nursery

Leucosceptrum is a genus of hard-to-find Japanese subshrubs used primarily as woodland garden foliage plants. In many parts of the country, Leucosceptrum is a dieback perennial that reaches a healthy 3' x 3' by autumn. 
Leucosceptrum leaves are reminiscent of hydrangea with the added bonus of often being quite colorful. In fall, leucoseptrum plants produce small bottlebrush-like flowers...a nice addition during a time of year when the garden flowers are mostly finished.
Leucosceptrum is a woodland plant, preferring to grow on the edge of a woodland or in an open forest so that it gets morning sun. 
Other than that, Leucosceptrum is fairly flexible about soil and moisture. 
Leucosceptrum will re-flush with fresh new foliage when pruned back during the growing season. 
Try growing leucosceptrum with other shade-lovers like carex, ferns, and hostas. 

Here it is enjoying the company of blooming Lacecap Hydrangea 'Princess Lace'.

Its blooms lasted about a month in September-October and attracted bees.

It's a good addition to the other fall bloomers!

***Copyright 2014 TatyanaS