Mint

This perennial herb was highly prized in the Middle Ages for its medicinal properties, and even an old Italian proverb says “sell your coat and buy Betony”. It is still found growing around ancient physic gardens and monasteries where it was traditionally used to treat arthritis and gout. Modern herbalists say its astringency and mild bitterness have made it a valued wound and digestive remedy, but that it shines in its use in treating tension and pain--including migraines. The entire plant is harvested on a July morning after the dew has evaporated, and the plant then dried and used to make tea.

• 4-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 14-21 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 70-75 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: Barely covered
  
• Plant Spacing: 15"
• Frost Hardy: Yes
  
• Stachys betonica
  

Growing Tips: Perennial zones 5-10. Direct sow in the garden during spring or summer, and cover lightly with soil. Prefers semi-shade or full sun. Tolerates heavy clay soils.

Perennial zones 4-9. Compact and tidy, this Japanese catmint and its mesmerizing blue blooms attract a range of pollinators. The plants reach just 12-20 inches tall and fit perfectly into beds, borders and containers. Nepeta subsessilis is also known as Japanese catmint. The blooms are larger than other types of catmints, and we especially appreciate the fragrance of the flowers. This bushy and colorful mounding plant is technically a perennial, but it will bloom in the first year and can be treated as an annual. 

• 8-12 hrs of Sun
• Sprouts in 7-14 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 70-75 F
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
• Plant Spacing: 12-18"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Nepeta subsessilis
  
  

Growing Tips: Surface sow, gently pressing into soil; cover lightly. Alternately you can start indoors and transplant after last frost. Shear plants occasionally to renew them; self-sows readily. Same genus and species as catnip, but catmint grows in more tidy clumps and does not reseed as easily. Catmint is more ornamental and a bit less tolerant of poor soil and prefers loose, well-drained soil.

Perennial zones 3-7. Soft pastel blue, pink and white flower spikes combine for a romantic effect. Cats won’t be the only ones loving this colorful mix; it’s also a major pollinator magnet! Plants reach 1 to 2 feet in height and about 1 to 1.5 feet wide, blooming in high summer, attracting songbirds, hummers, butterflies and bees. 

• 8-12 hrs of Sun
• Sprouts in 7-14 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 70-75 F
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
• Plant Spacing: 12-18"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Nepeta subsessilis
  
  

Growing Tips: Surface sow, gently pressing into soil; cover lightly. Alternately you can start indoors and transplant after last frost. Shear plants occasionally to renew them; self-sows readily. Same genus and species as catnip, but catmint grows in more tidy clumps and does not reseed as easily. Catmint is more ornamental and a bit less tolerant of poor soil and prefers loose, well-drained soil.

Perennial zones 4-9. Compact and tidy, the showy pink blooms of this Japanese catmint attract a range of pollinators. The plants reach just 12-20 inches tall and fit perfectly into beds, borders and containers. Nepeta subsessilis is also known as Japanese catmint. The blooms are larger than other types of catmints, and we especially appreciate the fragrance of the flowers. This bushy and colorful mounding plant is technically a perennial, but it will bloom in the first year and can be treated as an annual.

• 8-12 hrs of Sun
• Sprouts in 7-14 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 70-75 F
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
• Plant Spacing: 12-18"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Nepeta subsessilis
  
  

Growing Tips: Surface sow, gently pressing into soil; cover lightly. Alternately you can start indoors and transplant after last frost. Shear plants occasionally to renew them; self-sows readily. Same genus and species as catnip, but catmint grows in more tidy clumps and does not reseed as easily. Catmint is more ornamental and a bit less tolerant of poor soil and prefers loose, well-drained soil.

Perennial. The herb that drives cats wild is also medicinal; used in a tasty herbal tea for colds and flu. Vigorous plant.

• 6-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 7-14 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 70-75 F
  
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
  
• Plant Spacing: 12-18"
• Frost Hardy: No
  
• Nepeta cataria
  

Growing Tips: Surface sow, gently pressing into soil; cover lightly. Alternately you can start indoors and transplant after last frost. Shear plants occasionally to renew them; self-sows readily.

Doublemint is a cross between spearmint and peppermint. It is hardy in zones 3-9. Since peppermint itself is crossed with spearmint too, you can imagine this variety presenting a crisp forward spearmint flavor with a pop of peppermint to finish. It works well for all dishes and drinks you truly want a pronounced mint essence in. This is a true mint and does like to spread and creep across the garden, so consider growing in containers. Unlike Thai mint's upright growing habit, Doublemint desires to grow thick horizontal vines that weave together resembling a ground cover. This mint is vigorous in growth as much as it is powerful in its flavor profile! 

PLANTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AGAIN IN MARCH 2024

Also known as Klip Dagga,and a member of the mint family, Lion's Ear is native to Southern Africa and is used as a folk medicine among the native peoples for treating numerous ailments, and has shown some promise in studies. Tall, evergreen tropical plant produces loads of stunning peachy-orange flowers. Caution: this plant is a mild narcotic.

• 6-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 7-21 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 65-70 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: 1/8"
  
• Plant Spacing: 12"
• Frost Hardy: No
  
• Leonotis nepetifolia
  

Growing Tips: Start seeds indoors in early spring, lightly covering and keeping very warm. Set out plants after all danger of frost is past. May be direct sown outdoors long-summer climates. Revels in hot weather.

Enjoy this late-blooming marigold in teas and other drinks; a great flavoring for many dishes. This old Hispanic heirloom is hard to find nowadays, but is still a great garden plant that is easy to grow and quite flavorful.

• Tender Perennial
• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 5-10 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-80 F
• Plant Spacing: 8-12"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Tagetes lucida

This is perhaps the most powerful perennial to invite into your landscape. Countless beneficial insects are absolutely enchanted by mint, while many pesky garden pests are repulsed by it. Growing mint from seed is a lesson in the beauty of chaos in the natural world, as the busy activity of insect pollinators causes a wide spectrum of mint flavors. We love the element of surprise in growing mint from seed. While the flavors may range from spearmint to peppermint or applemint, the purported medicinal and pest-repelling benefits remain the same. Perennial from zones 4-9, mint will thrive in most gardens. It is quite competitive and belongs in the herb bed or in a contained location. Many folks simply clip the leaves and use as mulch around plants in the vegetable garden to harness the pest-repelling benefits without letting this aggressive plant grow in the vegetable garden.

• 4-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 10-14 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 55-90 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
  
• Plant Spacing: 12"
• Frost Hardy: Yes
  
• Mentha mix
  

Growing Tips: Surface sow, gently pressing seeds into soil (requires light to germinate). Limit spread by creating root barriers in the soil, or grow in containers off the ground. Ample water support the most lush growth.

Perennial. This top pollinator favorite is easy to grow from seed and to care for. It’s loaded with nectar so the sublty spotted flowers hum with life. Because of its strong smell, mammals won’t bother it, yet it’s a delight in the gardens because simply brushing this plant will release a beautiful mint aroma. The first botanical records of this plant come from French botanist Andre Michaux’s notes from the late 18th century. It naturalizes in dry prairie or glade habitats, but also does well in sunny to partially shaded drained beds. It can readily spread by rhizomes, but roots can be cut back once a year to prevent spreading.

• 4-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 10-14 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 55-90 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
  
• Plant Spacing: 12"
• Frost Hardy: Yes
  
• Pycnanthemum pilosum
  

Growing Tips: Surface sow, gently pressing seeds into soil (requires light to germinate). Limit spread by creating root barriers in the soil, or grow in containers off the ground. Ample water support the most lush growth.

Mentha arvensis. Perennial USDA zones 5-9. This is the delicious unmistakable mint of Thai cuisine. We love this refreshing herb in so many recipes, it is versatile and mouth watering. Mature plants reach about 18-20 inches tall and should be spaced about 2 feet apart. Ideal for a medium sized, 12 inch pot. This is a true mint and does like to spread and creep across the garden, so consider growing in containers and giving regular haircuts! Please consider these terms before ordering live plants: Most plants will be 3”-7” in height. All plants will ship prompt weekly as available from the first of March to the end of May. Please make sure you are ready for your order in your zone as these young, tender plants generally have no resistance to cold. WARNING: PLANTS ARE VERY YOUNG AND TENDER. DO NOT PUT THEM OUTSIDE UNTIL ALL DANGER OF FROST HAS PASSED.

PLANTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AGAIN IN MARCH 2024

Annual. Eurasian native that has been cultivated for centuries. The minty-lemony leaves and large purple flowers have long been used in a tea for reputed herbal benefits, including “lightening a discouraged heart.” Beloved by bees, like all the mint tribe.

• 8-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 7-14 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 68-70 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
  
• Plant Spacing: 12"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Dracocephalum moldavicum
  

Growing Tips: Start indoors, covering seeds very lightly and keeping moist until sprouts appear. Set outside after last frost or direct sow in the garden, two weeks before last frost. Cutting back after flowering encourages reblooming.