Prunella vulgaris L.
Alpine Self-heal
Selfheal is a low-growing native British perennial of the mint family, common and easily overlooked in short turf. It spreads by creeping stems that root as they go, forming patches of paired, oval leaves, and sends up short square stems topped with compact, oblong heads of two-lipped violet-blue flowers through summer and into autumn.
About
Selfheal is a low-growing native British perennial of the mint family, common and easily overlooked in short turf. It spreads by creeping stems that root as they go, forming patches of paired, oval leaves, and sends up short square stems topped with compact, oblong heads of two-lipped violet-blue flowers through summer and into autumn. It tolerates mowing well and often persists in lawns, where it flowers on very short stems.
It grows in a wide range of grassy places, including meadows, lawns, roadside verges, woodland rides and waste ground, on most soils in sun or partial shade. The flowers are a useful source of nectar for bees and other insects, and its toughness and adaptability make it valuable in wildflower lawns, meadow mixes and naturalistic plantings where a resilient, low native is wanted. It has a long history of use as a healing herb, reflected in its common names.
Also known as
Common Selfheal · Heal-all · Self-heal · Selfheal · brownwort · carpenter weed · common heal-all · common self-heal · woundwort
Synonyms
Brunella vulgaris · Prunella vulgaris nana · Prunella vulgaris nemoralis · Prunella vulgaris parviflora · Prunella vulgaris vulgaris
In our seed mixes
- BFS 1 – Traditional Hay Meadow Wildflower Mix
- BFS 10 – Species Rich Wildflower Meadow Seed Mix
- BFS 11 – Coastal Meadow Grassland Seed Mix
- BFS 12 – Green Roof Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS 120 – Wildlife Wildflower Seed Mix for Bees, Birds and Butterflies- 100% Flora
- BFS 130 – Flowering Grassless Lawn Wildflower Seed Mix – 100% Flora
- BFS 2 – Acid Grassland Wildflower Seed Mix for Sandy or Peaty Soils
- BFS 3 – Floodplain Meadow Grassland Seed Mix
- BFS 4 – Heavy Clay Soil Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS 5 – Wetland & Pond Edge Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS 6 – Hedgerow & Shade Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS 7 – Calcareous Grassland Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS 9 – Country Meadow Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS1(F) – Traditional Hay Meadow 100% Wildflower
- BFS10(F) – Species Rich 100% Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS11(F)- Coastal Meadow 100% Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS12(F) – Greenroof 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS2(F)- Acid Grassland 100% Wildflowers for Sandy/Peaty Soils
- BFS3(F)-Floodplain 100% Meadow Grassland Mix
- BFS4(F) – Heavy Clay Soil 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS5(F)-Wetland & Pond Edge 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS6(F)- Hedgerow & Shade 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS7(F)- Calcareous Grassland 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS9(F)- Country Meadow 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
- UM11 – Patchwork Wildflower Mix
- UM12 – Purple Glade – Perennial Wildflower Mix
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.