Mentha

People are still amazed at the choice of different Mints that are available. Despite this, the good old fashioned Garden Mint remains the outright winner. A hardy perennial, Mint can often be more difficult to get rid of than to keep! But you can control it by dividing it before it produces root runners or by growing it in containers where it thrives very well. However, it doesn’t like to dry out so make sure it’s in a good, rich, soil based compost located in a shady position.

Again, there is a vast choice when it comes to your favourite flavours, scents and leaves. There are the fruity ones: Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Orange and Pineapple, those with a touch of Basil, Chocolate (think After Eights) Ginger or Lavender and varieties of Spearmints and Peppermints, all great for teas, mint sauce and numerous other sweet and savoury recipes. Add to that the range of variegated, crinkled, silver, yellow or green leaves and you’ll wonder how you ever managed with just common old Garden Mint.