Dwarf Betony is the kind of ground-level plant that earns genuine admiration from those who bother to look down. Native to dry grasslands and riverbanks in southern Africa, it forms a semi-evergreen dense rosette of dark green leaves with an interesting crinkled texture — spatula-shaped, as the species name suggests — that holds its own as foliage even when the plant is not in bloom. In summer it sends up short spikes of 4 to 8 inches bearing prolific false whorls of rose-purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies reliably. The whole plant stays under 8 inches tall, making it ideal for the very front of a border, along pathways, in rock gardens, or massed as a low ground cover between taller plants.

Cultivation in zones 5 to 8 is straightforward. Average, well-drained soil and full sun produce the best flowering and the fewest disease problems; this is a plant that will sulk in waterlogged winter soil, so drainage is non-negotiable. Deadheading spent blooms prevents self-seeding, which is worth doing since seedlings may not come true to the parent. The centers of older clumps can die out over time, but the fix is simple: remove the dead central portion, divide the remaining outer clusters, and replant them at the original spacing. No serious pest or disease problems appear under normal conditions, though slugs, snails, and powdery mildew can show up during prolonged heat and humidity.