Parietaria officinalis Seeds | Pellitory of the Wall
LATIN NAME: Parietaria officinalis
COMMON NAME: Pellitory of the Wall
Plant Profile
Parietaria officinalis, commonly known as Pellitory of the Wall, is a species in the nettle family with a long record in gardens. Foliage stays soft and fresh through season, and plant seeds itself freely in sheltered corners. It likes shade or part shade, and cool, moist, leafy soil. The flowers pull in pollinating insects, which quietly widens its usefulness in the garden. The ratio of effort to reward here is about as good as gardening gets.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the nettle family, Parietaria officinalis draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. In nettle family, pellitory has a long, quiet record in studies of wall plants and medicinal herbs, and species appears in research on leaf chemistry and damp-wall growth. The upshot for anyone sowing it is reassurance — cultivated stock of this plant has a long, well-documented track record.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Pellitory of the Wall earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. In shaded wall and cool corner, pellitory greens damp places with little fuss. Soft foliage has served traditional preparations for generations, leaves make fresh, green carpet in sheltered corners, and plant seeds itself freely where it is happy. It grows well in cool, moist, leafy ground. In later seasons it demands little more than an appreciative eye.
Like the best garden herbs, it rewards growers twice: once in the garden with scent and pollinators, and again in the home as a traditional household herb.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Pellitory of the Wall, and the process is uncomplicated. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray partial shade. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Pellitory of the Wall repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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