Garden Mint Selection: Different Types of Mint Suitable for Your Outdoor Space
Mint, a versatile and fragrant herb, is a popular choice for gardeners around the world. Native to parts of Europe and Asia, this plant has found its way into various cultures, including traditional Japanese medicine, and is now widely used in cooking, aromatherapy, and landscaping.
One of the most common types of mint is peppermint, a hybrid created by crossing spearmint and wintermint. Another popular variety is chocolate mint, a cross between peppermint and orange mint, which produces no seeds and imparts a unique chocolate-orange flavour. Pineapple mint, also known as wooly or apple mint, has a distinctive white border along its leaves, while Ginger mint, or Scotch mint, is a cross between spearmint and corn mint.
Each variety of mint has its unique cultural requirements. Most mint varieties, including peppermint and apple mint, thrive in partial shade to full sun, requiring around 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. Some varieties like peppermint prefer indirect light or semi-shade to avoid direct harsh sun rays. Mint grows best in moist, well-draining loamy soil that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. Apple mint specifically prefers moist soil and tolerates full to partial sun.
Watering is another crucial factor. Mint plants need regular watering but not daily irrigation. They tolerate intermediate watering frequency well and can resist periods of drought, but care should be taken to avoid prolonged dry or overly wet conditions. Due to their vigorous growth habits, mint varieties tend to spread aggressively through underground rhizomes, so it is recommended to plant them in pots or contained areas to prevent them from taking over gardens.
Fertilization is beneficial to sustain healthy growth as mint can suffer nutrient deficiencies, particularly in potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Mint is durable and perennial, commonly grown in gardens worldwide, and grows easily in a variety of soil types and climates but prefers environments that provide some shade during hot periods to prevent stress.
Bonnie L. Grant, a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening and 15 years of gardening and writing experience, shares her passion for edible landscaping. She offers insights into growing various mint varieties, including watermint, which is native to Europe and ideal for growing along a home pond or waterfall.
Other unique mint varieties include Lemon mint, also known as purple horsemint, which is drought tolerant and produces deep purple flowers. Red raripila mint, a hybrid made of corn mint, watermint, and spearmint, has green leaves with red veins, while Lavender mint, or spearmint, has red stems and rounded leaves that resemble lavender, but the scent is mostly minty.
Grapefruit mint is less cold tolerant, hardy only to USDA zone 6, and Pineapple mint boasts a classic mint flavour combined with fruitiness. Horsemint, also known as spotted horsemint, is a tall mint that is cold hardy and traditionally used as a medicine.
In summary, while mint is adaptable and easy to grow, the key cultural requirements centre on providing partial shade to full sun, moist well-draining soil, moderate watering, containment to control spread, and occasional fertilization. Specific varieties like apple mint prefer moist soils and can grow quite tall, while peppermint favours indirect light and semi-shaded conditions. With the right care and attention, mint can be a beautiful and fragrant addition to any garden.
Home-and-garden enthusiasts might find gardening mint an intriguing endeavor, given its versatile uses in cooking, aromatherapy, and landscaping. Varieties like chocolate mint, pineapple mint, and Lavender mint add unique flavors and aesthetic appeal to a lifestyle centered around home-and-garden activities.
