Himalayan Mint Shrub
Colquhounia coccinea
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Colquhounia coccinea is a showy, soft-wooded shrub of the mint family, clothed in medium-sized leaves that are downy and pleasantly rough to the touch. Through late summer and fall come dense terminal spikes of orange-scarlet, yellow-throated flowers, a hot late-season color that hummingbirds and pollinating insects work eagerly. Plant in a sunny, well-drained site with good soil, where the arching stems can be trained against a warm wall.
The name carries a curl of history: Colquhoun is a Scottish Highland clan, and the source of the surname Calhoun so famous in Southern history and place names. Colquhounia coccinea hails from the Himalayas and western China, reached England before 1850, and remains little known in American gardens. Our own material derives from a collection made by Frank Bell in China.
Use the Himalayan mint shrub where the late flowers can close the season with warmth: against a sheltered south-facing wall, at the back of a sunny border, or in a mixed planting among salvias and other late bloomers. In the colder parts of the range the top growth may be cut down by hard frost, but the roots return in spring, so site in a protected pocket and cut the old stems back as new growth resumes.
Photo courtesy of A. Barra.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 7–9
- Sun
- Full Sun
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 6–8 Feet · Spread 3–4 Feet
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Seasonality
- Dies back, depends on zone
Orange-scarlet, yellow-throated, dense spikes, late summer to fall
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.