Mentha longifolia
Horse mint, Long leaved mint, Biblical mint
Also known as Mentha sylvestris, Mentha incana
- Height × spread
- 1.2m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a tall perennial that looks remarkably like the butterfly bush Buddleja davidii. It has long rather oblong leaves that stand out straight on either side of the upright stems. The foliage is downy to the touch. It bears arching columnar lilac flowers during July. These attract bees and butterflies which congregate in numbers. The foliage is aromatic. As it matures it generally becomes looser and more open. Give this a sunny or partly shaded site in any soil that is always moist. The plant stands around 1.2m (4ft) high with a 60cm (2ft) spread. It is best grown in a clump to increase its substance in the border.
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 1.2m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Herb garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Found in
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