Stachys coccinea
Scarlet Hedge Nettle
Family: Lamiaceae
Herbaceous perennial growing to about 2x2’. Older leaves may turn purple in winter. Red tubular flowers almost any time of year. Though sometimes called nettles, Stachys species have no stinging hairs, as do true nettles, but resembles nettles visually. The foliage exhibits a very herbal fragrance.
Plant in full sun to shade, regular water, hardy to 0° F. Cut back as necessary.
Loved by hummingbirds and other nectar-feeders. Larval food plant for the painted lady (Vanessa cardui) and many moth species.
Tea is made from the plant to reduce headaches, especially if allergy or stress induced. Flowers are edible.
Stachys is from the Greek stachus for ear of grain or spike, while coccinea means scarlet colored.
Found in moist areas from 1,500-8,000 ft. in Arizona and New Mexico (with a few populations in the borderlands of Texas), south through Mexico and into Nicauragua.
There are many horticultural varieties:
Stachys coccinea 'Chinook' - long blooming plants, coral-red colored flowers, plants grow around 40 cm (15 in) tall.
Stachys coccinea 'Hidalgo' - coral-red flowers, grows 30–45 cm (12–18 in) tall, sometimes listed under Stachys albotomentosa.
Stachys coccinea 'Hot Spot Coral' - coral-red colored flowers, plants grow 45 cm (18 in) tall.
Stachys coccinea 'Pow Wow' - brick-red colored flowers on plants growing about 30 cm (12 in) tall.
Detail of the flower, photo by Radha Veach, iNaturalist
A wild pink variant in Jalisco, Mexico. Photo by Emmanuel Guevara Lazcano
Plants are often found in canyons and rocky soils in the mountains, this plant in Grant County, New Mexico. Photo by Nathan Taylor