Boehmeria 'Kyushu Rikishi'

Ramie Urticaceae

A superb foliage plant and one of the most impressive forms of false nettle, Boehmeria ‘Kyushu Rikishi’ produces enormous, rounded leaves up to 30cm across, each deeply veined with crisply serrated margins. The foliage is held in pairs along upright stems, creating a bold, almost tropical effect in the woodland border. In late summer and autumn, long strings of pale green-to-cream flowers hang from the stems like rather improbable pipe cleaners. 

Despite its exotic appearance, it is remarkably tough. The RHS recommends partial shade and deep, moisture-retentive soil, and rates it H6, hardy to approximately −20 to −15°C. It forms a bushy, deciduous clump of around 50–100cm in both height and spread. 

Height: 50–100cm
Spread: 50–100cm
Flowers: Late summer–autumn
Hardiness: H6 — −20 to −15°C

A wonderful plant for the collector who likes their foliage big, bold and completely unfazed by British winters.