Mints

Pineapple Mint - Very similar to apple mint but with a white edging to the leaves. Sometimes labeled as Apple Mint Variegata.

Spearmint - Mentha spicata-It has a strong, sweet scent. The crinkled or smooth stems have a tinge of red. The bright green leaves are pointed and toothed, and the lavender flower spikes are 2 to 4 inches long. . Peppermint - Mentha x piperita -This sterile hybrid has square stems tinted reddish purple with dark green leaves and purple flowers. This plant is said to repel aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage pests. Grow near roses to deter aphids. Lemon balm -Melissa officinalis-This plant has hairy, square, stems and lemon scented leaves. The fruit is a smooth nutlet. This plant attracts bees to the garden. Catnip - Nepeta cataria - The serrated gray-green leaves are covered with soft fuzz. Bees and butterflies are attracted to catnip, so plant it where pollination is needed. Apple Mint - Mentha suaveolens (Lamiaceae family) - Leaves have a sweet scent. With its attractive foliage and flowers, it makes a nice container plant

Propagating & Growing Mint

Cultivation Since most mints spread rapidly, it is wise to give them lots of space. Find out the maximum height of your plant in order to place it as either a front border-type plant or to place in the background. It grows best in a damp, part-shady location (about four hours of sun is good) with rich soil. Mint planted outdoors should be mulched heavily to protect against frost. Most mints are hardy to zone 5.

Many types can be started from seed. One exception is peppermint, which is sterile. But if you have access to a plant, it is much easier to pull up a runner with some roots already on it, and plant that. Or take cuttings and root in water or divide roots of the main plant. The plant is invasive and should be grown in pots if confinement is desired. These are very low maintenance plants!

Cut the plants back in autumn and mulch to get them ready for the colder winter months.

Managing Mint Steps can be taken to lessen the chance of mint taking over your garden. Check often for the runners or stolons. Dig around the plants about an inch deep and pull them up. Confine it. Plant it in pots, window boxes, half-barrels, or a long

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