Mentha Mint from the family Lamiaceae Herb of the month, December
"After a hard day's slog, I pick a bunch of Eau de Cologne mint, tie it up with string, and hang it under the hot water tap when running a bath. It scents not only your bath, but the whole house; it's very uplifting!" Jekka McVicar
Mint is a herb garden essential: both peppermint and spearmint attract beneficial butterflies and hoverflies to the garden; it is very much in demand as a culinary herb, as a source of leaves for refreshing mint tea, and as a useful home herbal remedy to aid digestion.
Mentha suaveolens 'Le Boues',
Guernsey Mint
Mentha longifolia Buddleia Mint Group,
Buddleia Mint
There are many different varieties available; most are hardy
perennials, and some are more invasive than others. Variegated species tend to be weaker and therefore more easily contained.
The Mentha family is a native of Europe that has naturalized in many parts of the world, including North America, Australia and Japan.
Mint has been cultivated for its medicinal properties since ancient times, and has been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 1,000 BC. The Japanese have been extracting menthol oil for at least 2,000 years. The Romans brought it with them as they marched through Europe and into Britain, from where it found its way to America with the settlers.
Either spearmint or peppermint planted near roses may help to deter aphids. Buddleia mint (pictured top right) will attract hoverflies, which are predators of greenfly.
Propagation:
Seed: The mint seed available on the market is not always worthwhile - leaf flavour is sometimes inferior and does not run true to species.
Cuttings: Root cuttings of mint are very easy. Simply dig up a piece of root. Cut it where you can see a little growing node (each piece will produce a plant) and place the cuttings either into a plug or seed tray. Push them into the compost ( a standard seed compost mixed in equal parts with composted fine bark). Water in and leave. This can be done any time during the growing season. If taken in spring, you should see new shoots emerging through the compost after about 2 weeks.
Division: Dig up plants every few years and divide, or they will produce root runners all over the place. Each bit of root will grow, so take care. Corsican mint does not set root runners. Dig up a section in spring and divide by easing the plant apart and replanting.
Garden cultivation: Mint is the one herb that will walk all over the plot if not severely controlled. Also, mint readily hybridizes itself, varying according to environmental factors.
Select a planting site in sun or shade but away from other mints. Planted side by side they may lose their individual scent and flavour.
To inhibit spread, sink a large bottomless container (bucket or bespoke frame) in a well-drained and fairly rich soil to a depth of at least 30cm, leaving a small ridge above soil level. Plant the mint in the centre.
Container growing: Mint makes an excellent container plant. Make sure the container is large enough, use a soil based compost mixed in equal parts with composted fine bark, and do not let the compost dry out. Feed regularly throughout the growing season with a liquid fertilizer. Place the container in semi-shade.
Mentha x piperita f. citrata 'Chocolate'
Chocolate Peppermint
Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata'
Pineapple Mint
Mentha longifolia subsp. schimperi
Eastern Mint, Desert Mint
Maintenance: To maintain healthy plants, divide esablished plants every few years. Cut back after flowering to encourage new leaf growth, and feed with comfrey liquid feed (recipe available in Jekka's New Book of Herbs). In winter, when the plant has died back, feed with well-rotted manure. If mints become invasive, dig up root runners with care - any root left behind will grow into a new plant.
Harvesting: Pick fresh leaves before flowering, or after cutting back when the plant has started to re-grow up until the first frosts.
Peppermint is normally used for making mint tea, whilst Spearmint is best for mint sauce.
Culinary: Peppermint is very much in demand these days, to make a refreshing herbal tea, whilst spearmint makes a delicious mint sauce to be savoured with roast lamb. Mint is also good in vinegars and jellies, and there are many recipes for using mint in cooking with fish, meat, yoghurt and fruit. It also adds a zingy freshness when added to chocolate puddings.
Medicinal: Mint is an amazing medicinal herb. Peppermint, in particular, is aromatic, calmative, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic and is also a stimulant. Mint can be used in a number of ways for a variety of complaints, and is well known as a digestive aid.
Mint is especially useful for nervous headaches, and as a way of helping to increase concentration. Externally, peppermint oil can be used in a massage to relieve muscular pain.
Other Uses: Tie a freshly harvested bunch of Eau de Cologne Mint (pictured above) with string, and hang it under the hot water tap whilst drawing a bath.You will scent not only your bath, but the whole house! Mint is also a very useful companion plant and may help to deter aphids if planted near roses. Buddleia mint (pictured top right) attracts hoverflies, which are predators of greenfly.
How to Order: we currently grow over 40 varieties of mint. To access all mint varieties, simply click on the Search button, and type Mint into the 'Name' box.
Here are just a few of Jekka's favourite mint varieties:
