MINT

These Mediterranean natives spread rapidly by underground stems and can be quite invasive; to keep them in bounds, grow them in pots or boxes. Tough and unfussy, they grow almost anywhere but perform best in light, moist, medium-rich soil. Not favored by deer. Plants disappear in winter in colder part of range. Replant about every 3 years; propagate by division or runners.

golden apple mint

mentha xgracilis

• Zones MS, LS, CS; USDA 7-9.
• Grows to 2 feet tall.
• Smooth, deep green, 112- to 3 inches-long leaves with yellow variegation have a spicy apple fragrance and flavor.
• Produces inconspicuous flowers.
• Use them for flavoring foods.
• Foliage is excellent in mixed bouquets.

peppermint

mentha xpiperita

• Grows to about 3 feet tall.
• Strongly scented, tooth-edged leaves to 3 inches long, dark green often tinged with purple.
• Small purplish flowers come in 1- to 3 inches spikes.
• Leaves are good for flavoring tea.

mentha xp

• citrata.
• ORANGE MINT, BERGAMOT MINT.
• Grows to about 2 feet high and produces small lavender flowers and broad, 2 inches-long leaves with a slight orange flavor.
• Orange mint is used in potpourris and for flavoring foods.

pennyroyal

mentha pulegium

• Zones MS, LS, CS; USDA 7-9.
• Creeping plant 416 inches high, with inch-wide, bright green, nearly round leaves.
• Small lavender flowers in tight, short whorls.
• Strong mint fragrance and flavor.
• Poisonous if consumed in large quantities but safe as a flavoring.
• Needs a cool, moist site.

corsican mint

mentha requienii

• Creeping, mat-forming mint reaches only 12 inches high.
• Tiny, round, bright green leaves give it a mossy appearance; leaves release a delightful minty or sagelike fragrance when bruised.
• Can be used as an aromatic filler between stepping stones (but won't take heavy foot traffic).
• Bears tiny, tubular, light purple flowers.

spearmint

mentha spicata

• Grows to 13 feet high.
• Dark green, toothed leaves are slightly smaller than those of M.xpiperita.
• Leafy spikes of flowers in pale lilac, pale blue, or white.
• Clip leaves and use them fresh from the garden or dry them and use to add flavor to foods, cold drinks, or jelly.

apple mint

mentha suaveolens

• Zones MS, LS, CS; USDA 7-9.
• Stiff stems reach to 1123 feet tall, bearing rounded, somewhat hairy, gray-green leaves 14 inches long.
• Produces purplish white flowers in 2- to 3 inches spikes.
• Aromatic foliage combines the fragrances of apple and mint.
• Variegata, pineapple mint, has white-marked leaves with a faint pineapple scent.