A tall growing attractive mint with silvery leaves and arching purple flowerheads similar to buddleia which are loved by bees. As a fast-spreading perennial it may be better to grow in a container. 9x9cm pot (8cm depth)
Description
- Lovely silver leaves
- Aromatic
- Easy to grow
- Long drooping flower spikes
As well as a culinary herb and its use in confectionary, mint has traditionally been used as a tea for treating headaches and digestive disorders, in modern medicine it is widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal tract disorders and relieving wind and colic. The flowers are very attractive to bees and it is thought to be a mouse and rat repellent. Buddleia mint doesn’t rank as one of the most aromatic mints, but it makes up for that with sheer glamour, from the long pointed silver leaves to the buddleia type flowers.
Plant Care
- Height: 60-100cm
- Type: Hardy
- Aspect: Sun/shade
- Soil: Any/alkaline
- Flower colour: Purple
- Flowering period: July - September
On the whole mints are fast growing perennials that love good rich soil and grow in both sun and shade successfully. Planted in heavy soils they spread rapidly and unless you have plenty of space can become a bit of a menace, in lighter soils their spread is limited and in very dry summers they can die. Most people grow their mints in containers and in the first year they are usually gorgeous and lush, it is in the second year when they emerge again in spring that the leaves are tiny and grow mostly around the edges of the container. This is because they grow so fast that the roots have filled the container completely and though additional feeding helps, there is just not enough oomph left in the soil to support a vigorous plant. The easiest thing to do is tip the whole root ball out and replant half of it back in the container with some fresh compost; it won’t be long before you have a fantastic looking mint again. The other half you can grow in another pot, give away or add to the compost heap.
Usage
A beautiful mint soft downy silver leaves and long purple flowers heads resembling buddleia flowers, this mint is often grown simply for its beauty. Although aromatic, the flavour is not very strong and other mints are often better for culinary dishes; as a tea is sweet and mild. It is one of the favourite mints for bees and butterflies.