Bastard Balm (Melittis melissophyllum) seeds

The bastard balm is native to Europe and Western Asia. It prefers shady forests and often grows at forest edges as well as in open woodlands and thickets. When crushed, the leaves of the bastard balm emit a pleasant lemon or lemon balm scent, which explains the second part of its scientific name "melissophyllum" – "melissa" is the Greek word for bee and "phyllum" means leaf. The scent attracts both bees and other insects.

This perennial reaches a height of about 20 to 50 cm. It has heart-shaped, soft leaves and its flowers are particularly striking: they have a lip shape, similar to many other members of the mint family, and display a beautiful colour range from white to pink to deep purple-red. The flowering period extends from May to July. Despite its beautiful flowers and pleasant scent, the bastard balm is rarely found in gardens. However, it could be an attractive addition to shade gardens or natural gardens, especially for those who wish to promote native plants. It is a perennial plant that can thrive in the same location for several years with proper care.