- Banana,
Blue
Balsam, Chocolate, Corsican,
Curly, Grapefruit,
Japanese
Field, Kentucky
Colonel, Lemon, Lime,
Mountain Mint, Orange,
Pennyroyal, Pineapple,
Red Stemmed Apple
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Mint, while often taken in vain for its aggressive growing habit, is a
wonderfully versatile herb everyone should have in their garden. It is
true that not much will contain mint, though metal or plastic barriers
sunk at least 6" into the ground will help. Another alternative is to
grow it in its own pot. And then there are those who let it wander at
will, even letting it grow into the lawn, where it sends up a wonderful,
refreshing fragrance each time you mow! Mint typically dies down in the
winter, hardly ever disappearing completely, but will return with a
vengeance when the weather begins to warm up in the Spring.
Though most Southerners would be lost without a sprig of mint in their
beloved ice tea, and equally helpless around Derby Day without that
quintessential drink the mint julep, there are many other culinary uses
for mint. It is a primary ingredient in Greek cuisine, adding a wonderful
flavor to lamb dishes or salads such as tabouleh. Try it chopped over
chilled cucumbers for a wonderfully refreshing snack, or on tomatoes
drizzled with a good quality olive oil. Minted peas and carrots are other
simple yet flavorful dishes. Experi'mint!' (pun intended)
Even though some people will argue that mint is a weed and should be
treated like one, to get the best flavor and growth:
- Plant it in rich, compost-enhanced soil in full sun.
- Keep it moist.
- Feed it every now and again with a half-strength commercial
fertilizer, or a full-strength organic one (too much nitrogen will
cause a lot of growth, but with little flavor).
- Cut it back when it gets tall and the leaves are spaced further
apart, this will keep it from blooming and getting woody, and provide
you with a consistent supply of fresh, tasty leaves.
Banana Mint has a distinctly fruity,
banana-like scent. It is a smaller, lower growing mint with pale green
leaves, that is not as aggressive as some. It also develops beautiful
lavender flowers similar to those of pennyroyal. Back to Top
Blue Balsam Mint is a strongly
scented peppermint with a wonderfully cool flavor. It is an attractive
low-growing plant, with smallish shiny green leaves and darker
stems. Back to Top
Chocolate Mint is a another great
peppermint, similar in looks to Blue Balsam, but with distinct chocolate
overtones. If you are a coffee lover, place a sprig in the bottom of your
mug and pour hot coffee over it and let steep for a few minutes...mmm.
Or try using it finely chopped and added to chocolate sauces, frostings,
or ice creams for a refreshing minty flavor. Back to Top
Corsican Mint (Mentha x
requienii) is a tiny-leafed, creeping mint with an amazing menthol
aroma (think Creme de Menthe). It has a fairly shallow root system, and
does not like temperature or moisture extremes, making it one of the more
finicky mints to grow. It does best in our climate when it is protected
from the midday sun and kept moist and well-fed. Try it in between paving
stones on your patio or walkway for a wonderful aroma every time you take
a step! Back to Top
Curly Mint (M.s.'Crispa') A very
attractive spearmint with densely curled leaves—perfect for garnishing
drinks or salads. Back to Top
Grapefruit Mint (Mentha sp.)
This spearmint has a spearmint flavor with strong grapefruit overtones.
Use it as you would any spearmint; especially good in tea! Another bonus
is the beautiful lavender flowers it produces in late summer. Back to Top
Japanese Field Mint (M.arvensis
piperascens) Dark green, smooth leaves, with slightly leggy growth
habit. VERY strong menthol flavor. It is the primary source of Japanese
menthol, used to flavor candies, drinks, etc. Back to Top
Kentucky Colonel (Mentha
spicata) Large, dark green, slightly crinkly leaves. Our all-around
favorite for Mint Juleps or iced tea. Kentucky Colonel is a reliably
hardy, strongly flavored spearmint that is favored by many Lowcountry
growers. Back to Top
Lemon Mint (Mentha sp.)
Developed from apple and lime mint, lemon mint has a sweet, fruity,
spearmint-like aroma with a hint of citrus. A good grower here, producing
a profusion of lavender flower spikes. Back to Top
Lime Mint (M.piperita citrata)
Minty with a lime twist; try this one in a gin and tonic! A hearty grower
in our climate, lime mint can be used like spearmint, in teas, fruit
salads, or as a garnish. Back to Top
Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum
pilosum) A hardy native to the United States. It has a great menthol
flavor, and can be used like peppermint. A rapid spreader, mountain mint
can reach several feet in height. The uppermost bracts turn a beautiful
frosty pinkish-greenish white, that look great fresh or dried. When dried,
mountain mint retains its scent, making it a wonderful addition to dried
flower arrangements or pot pourri. Back to Top
Orange Mint (M. piperita citrata)
Heavily perfumed with Bergamot overtones, orange mint is valued for its
unique, citrusy aroma and flavor. It makes a wonderful addition to iced
tea, fruit desserts, and pot pourris. Back to Top
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
Pennyroyal's low-growing habit, and dense, rounded (penny-shaped!) leaves
make it an excellent ground cover. It will reach 4-6" when it blooms
its attractive lavender flowers, but will otherwise remain pretty compact.
Pennyroyal will naturalize if given plenty of moisture, some light shade,
and moderate protection in the winter. Traditionally used to keep away
fleas, it also makes a flavorful tea (though not for pregnant women, as it
can induce miscarriage.) Back to Top
Pineapple Mint (M. suaveolens 'Variegata')
is a beautiful fruity scented, trailing mint with slightly ruffled,
creamy-white and pale green leaves. It is flavorful in tea, makes an
excellent garnish, and looks beautiful when planted in pots or hanging
baskets with other herbs or flowering annuals. Back to Top
Red Stemmed Apple Mint (Mentha
x gracilis) is a rare mint that carries both the peppermint and
spearmint oils. It is an attractive plant with (you guessed it!) red stems
and bright green, pointed leaves. Excellent in iced tea or as a garnish
for fruit salads, cool summer drinks, or desserts. Back to Top
