Mint as Herb, Plant and Flower

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 growing it to obtain menthol for at least 2,000 years. In the Bible the Pharisees collected tithes in mint, dill and cumin. Charlemagne, who was very keen on herbs, ordered people to grow it. 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.

Its name was first used in Greek mythology. There are two different stories, the first that the nymph Minthe was being chatted up by Hades, god of the Underworld. His queen Sephony became jealous and turned her into the plant, mint. The second that Minthe was a nymph beloved by Pluto, who transformed her into the scented herb after his jealous wife took umbrage.

SPECIES

The mint family is large and well known. I have chosen a few to illustrate the diversityof the species.

Mentha arvensis var. piperascens

Japanese Peppermint

Hardy perennial. Ht 60cm- lm (2-3ft), spread 60cm (24in) and more. Loose purplish whorls of flowers in summer. Leaves, downy, oblong, sharply toothed and green grey; they provides an oil (90 per cent menthol), said to be inferior to the oil produced by M. piperita. This species is known as English mint in Japan.

Mentha aquatica

Water Mint

Hardy perennial. Ht 15- 60cm (6-24in), spread indefinite. Pretty purple/ lilac flowers, all summer. Leaves soft, slightly downy, mid-green in color. The scent can vary from a musty mint to a strong peppermint. This should be planted in water or very wet marshy soil. It can be found growing wild around pounds and streams.

Mentha x gracilis (Mentha x gen tilis)

Ginger Mint

Also known as Scotch Mint. Hardy perennial. Ht 45cm (18in), spread 60cm (24in). The stem has whorls of small, 2-lipped, mauve flowers in summer. The leaf is variegated, gold/green with serrated edges. The flavor is a delicate, warm mint that combines well in salads and tomato dishes.

Mentha longifolia

Buddleia Mint

Hardy perennial. Ht 80cm (32in), spread indefinite. Long purple/mauve flowers that look very like buddleia (hence its name). Long grey-green leaves with a musty minty scent. Very good plant for garden borders.

Mentha x piperita

Peppermint

Also known as Mentha d'Angleterre, Mentha Anglais, Pfefferminze and Englisheminze. Hardy perennial. Ht 30- 60cm (12-24in), spread indefinite. Pale purple flowers in summer. Pointed leaves, darkish green with a reddish tinge, serrated edges. Very peppermint scented. This is the main medicinal herb of the genus. There are 2 species worth looking out for – black peppermint, with leaves

much darker, nearly brown, and white peppermint, with leaves green, tinged with reddish brown.

Mentha x piperita citrata

F.au de Gologne Mint

Also known as Orange Mint and Bergamot Mint. Hardy perennial. Ht 60- 80cm (24-32in), spread

indefinite. Purple/mauve flowers in summer. Purple tinged, roundish, dark green leaves. A delicious scent that has been described as lemon, orange, bergamot, lavender, as well as eau de cologne. This plant is a vigorous grower. Use in fruit dishes with discretion. Best use is in the bath.

Mentha x piperita f. citrata 'Basil'

Basil Mint

Hardy perennial, lit 45-60cm (18-24in), spread indefinite. Purple/mauve flowers in summer. Leaves green with a reddish tinge, more pointed than Eau de cologne. The scent is unique, a sweet and spicy

mint scent that combines well with tomato dishes, especially pasta.

Mentha x piperita f. citrata 'Lemon'

Lemon Mint

Hardy perennial. Ht 45- 60cm (18-24in), spread indefinite. Purple whorl of flowers in summer. Green serrated leaf, refreshing minty lemon scent. Good as a mint sauce, or with fruit dishes.

Mentha pulegium

Pen nyroyal

Hardy semi-evergreen perennial Ht 15cm (6in) creeper, spread indefinite. Mauve flowers in spring. Bright green leaves, very strong peppermint scent. There is so much lo write about this plant, it has got its own section, 

Mentha requienii

Corsican Mint

Also known as Rock mint. Hardy semi-evergreen perennial. Ground cover, spread indefinite. Tiny

purple flowers throughout the summer. Tiny bright green leaves, which, when crushed, smell strongly of peppermint. Suits a rock garden or paved path, grows naturally in cracks of rocks. Needs shade and moist soil.

Mentha spicata

Spearmint

Also known as Garden mint and Common mint. Hardy perennial. Ht 45- 60cm (18-24in), spread indefinite. Purple/mauve flowers in summer. Green pointed leaves with serrated edges. The most widely grown of all mints. Good for mint sauce, mint jelly, mint julep.

Mentha spicata 'Crispa'

Curly Mint

Hardy perennial. Ht 45- 60cm (18-24in), spread indefinite. Light mauve flowers in spring. When 1 first saw this mint I thought it had a bad attack of aphid, but it has grown on me! The leaf is bright green and crinkled, its serrated edge slightly frilly. Flavor very similar to spearmint, so good in most culinary dishes.

Mentha spicata 'Moroccan'

Moroccan Mint

Hardy perennial. Ht 45- 60cm (18-24in), spread indefinite. White flowers in summer. Bright green leaves with a texture and excellent mint scent. This is the one I use for all the basic mint uses in the kitchen. A clean mint flavor and scent, lovely with yoghurt and cucumber.

Mentha suaveolens

Apple Mint

Hardy perennial. Ht 60cm- lm (2-3ff), spread indefinite. Mauve flowers in summer. Roundish hairy leaves. Tall vigorous grower. Gets its name from its scent, which is a combination of mint and apples. More subtle than some mints, so good in cooking.

Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata'

Pineapple Mint

Hardy perennial. Ht 45- 60cm (18-24in), spread indefinite. Seldom produces flowers, all the energy going into producing very pretty cream and green, slightly hairy leaves that look good in the garden. Not a rampant mint. Grows well in hanging baskets.

Mentha x villosa f. alopecuroides 'Bowles' Mint'

Bowles Mint

Hardy perennial. Ht 60cm- lm (2-3ft), spread indefinite. Mauve flowers, round, slightly hairy green

leaves, vigorous grower. Sometimes called incorrectly Applemint. Has acquired  reputation as 'The

Connoisseur's Culinary Mint'. Not sure I agree, but mint tastes do vary.

Pycnanthemum pilosum

Mountain Mint

Hardy perennial. Ht 90cm (3ft), spread 60cm (2ft). Knot-like white/pink flowers, small and pretty in summer. Leaves long, thin, pointed, and grey-green with a good mint scent and flavor. Not a Mentha, so therefore not a true mint, and does not spread. Looks very attractive in a border, and is to butterflies. Any soil will support it provided not too rich.

CULTIVATION

Propagation

Seed The seed on the market is not worthwhile - leaf flavor is inferior and quite often it docs 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 (bark, peat mix). Water in and leave. This can be done any time during the growing season. If taken in spring, in about 2 weeks you should see new shoots emerging through the compost.

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 mini does not set root runners. Dig up a section in spring and divide by easing the plant apart and replanting.

Pests and Diseases

Mint rust appears as little rusty spots on the leaves. Remove them immediately, otherwise the rust will wash off into the soil and the spores spread to other plants. One sure way to be rid is to burn [he affected patch. This effectively sterilizes the ground. Another method, which I found in an old gardening book, is to dig up the roots in winter when the plants are dormant, and clean off the soil under a tap. Heat some water to a temperature of40-46°C (105°-115°F) and pour into a bowl. Place the roots in the water for 10 minutes. Remove the runners and wash al once in cold water. Replant in the garden well away from the original site.

Maintenance

Spring: Dig up root if cuttings are required. Split established plants if need be.

Summer: Give plants a hair cut to promote new growth. Control the spread of unruly plants.

Autumn: Dig up roots for forcing. Bring in containers.

Winter: Sterilize roots if rust evident during growing season.

Garden Cultivation

Mint is one of those plants that will walk all over the plot if not severely controlled. Also, mint readily hybridizes itself, varying according to environmental factors.

If choosing a plant in a nursery or garden centre rub the leaf first to check the scent. Select a planting site in sun or shade but away from other mints. Planted side by side they seem to loose their individual scent and flavor.

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 (12in), leaving a small ridge above soil level. Plant (he mint in the centre.

Harvest

Pick the leaves for fresh use throughout the growing season. Pick leaves for diving or freezing before the mint flowers.

COMPANION PLANTING

Spearmint or peppermint planted near roses will deter aphids. Buddleia mini will attract hover flies.

OTHER USES

Pick a bunch of eau de cologne mint, tie it up with  j string, and hang it under the hot water tap when you are  I drawing a bath. You will scent not only your bath, but] the whole house. It is very 1 uplifting (unless you too have a voting son, who for I some reason thinks it is 'gross').

CULINARY

With due respect to their cuisine, the French are always rude about our 'mint sauce with lamb'; they reckon it is barbaric. On the other side of the Channel they use mint less than other countries in cooking. But slowly, even in France, this herb is gaining favor. Mint is good in vinegars and jellies. Peppermint makes a great tea. And there are many many uses for mint in cooking with fish, meat yoghurt, fruit, and so on. Here is a recipe for chocoholics like me:

Chocolate Mint Mousse

Serves 2

100g (4oz) plain dark chocolate

2 eggs, separated

I teaspoon instant coffee

I teaspoon fresh chopped mint,

either Moroccan, spearmint or curly.

Whipped cream for decoration 4 whole mint leaves

Melt the chocolate either in a microwave, or in a double saucepan. When smooth and liquid, remove from heat. Beat egg yolks and add to the chocolate while hot (this will cook the yolks slightly). Add coffee and chopped mint. Leave the mixture to cool for about 15 minutes. Beat the egg whites (not too stiff) and fold them into the cooling chocolate mixture. Spoon into containers. When you are ready to serve put a blob of whipped cream in the middle and garnish with whole leaves.

CONTAINER GROWING (AND FORCING)

Mint is good in containers. Make sure the container is large enough, use a soil-based compost, and do not let the compost dry out. Feed regularly throughout the growing season with a liquid fertilizer. Place the container in semi-shade. Black peppermint tea

One good reason for growing mint in containers is to prolong the season. This is called forcing. In early autumn dig up some root. Fill a container, or wooden box lined with plastic, with compost. Lay the root down its length and cover lightly with compost. Water in and place in a light, warm glasshouse or warm conservatory (even the kitchen windowsill will do). Keep an eye on it, and fresh shoots should sprout within a couple of weeks. This is great for fresh mint sauce for Christmas.

MEDICINA

Peppermint is aromatic, calmative, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, and is also a stimulant. It can be used in a number of ways for a variety of complaints including gastro-intestinal disorders where antispasmodic, anti-flatulent and appetite- promoting stimulation is required. It is particularly useful for nervous headaches, and as a way to increase concentration. Externally, peppermint oil can be used in a massage to relieve muscular pain.