Horsebalm (Collinsonia canadensis)
Horsebalm – also known as richweed – is a woodland perennial native to deciduous forests. It’s in the mint family and can spread moderately. The pale yellow flowers bloom in late summer into early fall, providing late-season nectar to bees. The flowers have a lightly lemony or citrusy fragrance, as does the crushed foliage.
Natural habitat: Moist deciduous woods
Light requirements: Part to deep shade, dappled sun
Soil requirements: Moist, organic
USDA hardiness: Zones 4-8
Height: 3′-4′
Spacing: 3′-4′
Wildlife value: Bees, moths, birds
Deer resistance: Resistant
Rabbit resistance: Not preferred
Germination requirements
90 CMS; cover lightly
Horsebalm seeds require 90 days of cold moist stratification (abbreviated CMS in many reference guides). Stratification is the process of pre-treating seeds to mimic their natural cycles in an artificial setting.
Cold moist stratification can be achieved by sowing the seeds in your planting medium, gently watering them in, and setting them outside for a minimum of 90 days of temperatures consistently below 40 degrees. They will germinate when the soil warms up in spring. Alternatively, you can mix the seeds with a small amount of moist (not wet) sand, perlite, or vermiculite in a plastic baggie and place it in a refrigerator for 90 days. After chilling the seeds for 90 days, sow them by spreading out the contents of the baggie on the surface of your medium and gently watering them in.
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