Family: Vervain (Verbenaceae)
Hardy to Zone 6 to 9
(Monk’s Pepper) Woody perennial bush to small tree to 15 feet tall, native to the Mediterranean. The leaves and flowers exude exotic aromas. Traditional use (TWM): anaphrodisiac, breast health. Plant prefers sun to part shade, dryish soils, and withstands drought. Scarify the seeds lightly on medium grit sandpaper. Then soak the seeds in cold water or preferably willow tip tea in a covered jar in the fridge for 30 days before sowing. This seems to help break dormancy. To plant, cover seed with 1/4 inch of soil, tamp firmly and keep evenly moist and very warm until germination. Placing the flat 6 inches below the T-5 grow light delivers about the right amount of heat. Long germination times (33 days or more) are typical. Work up seedlings in pots for a year or two before transplanting to landscape at a spacing of at least 15 feet apart.
Packet contains 50 seeds