Mentha

(Labiatae - mint family)

Mint. About 25 species of perennial herbs, mostly native to temperate regions of the Old World. Mint leaves can be used as a flavoring in foods, made into tea, or eaten as a nibble. The species listed here all prefer moist soil and bear small lavender or purple flowers in summer.

piperita

peren • ht 1-2' • zones 3-10

peppermint

edible, fragrant, sun - part shade
Europe

Has an especially tangy, refreshing taste. A favorite for eating fresh or making tea. Spreads quickly.

cat # 6G1H
$7.95 each / 3-2, $7.50 ea / 3+, $6.95 ea

requienii

peren • ht 1" • zones 7-10

Corsican mint

fragrant, ground cover, rock garden, dry - moist, sun
Corsica, Sardinia

A diminuitive, tiny-leaved, mat-forming creeper. Intensely mint-scented. Not reliably hardy here. (zone 5-6 boundary), but re-seeds. In cold areas, it would be advisable to keep a bit indoors for winter until hardiness in your area has been established.

cat # 6G1K
$7.95 each / 3+, $7.50 ea

spicata

peren • ht 2½' • zones 4-10

spearmint

edible, fragrant, sun - part shade
Eurasia

Good for tea or nibbling. Often occurs as a naturalized plant in moist meadows here.

cat # 6G1P
$7.95 each / 3-2, $7.50 ea / 3+, $6.95 ea

suaveolens

peren • ht 3' • zones 3-10

horsemint; applemint

edible, fragrant, sun - part shade
Europe

Has relatively large, white-wooly leaves and sprawling stems.

cat # 6G1M
$7.95 each / 3-9, $7.50 ea / 10+, $6.95 ea