DESCRIPTION: This is a large group of well-known perennial herbs, which are widely spread over the temperate parts of the world. Mentha includes the Apple Mint, Curly Mint, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Pineapple Mint, Spearmint and Water or Bog Mint. Following are descriptions of each variety.
Apple Mint (M. suaveolens) - This hardy perennial is a very robust grower. Apple Mint has interesting light green leaves. They are somewhat hairy on the upper surface and downy underneath, with serrated edges. They can grow up to 3 feet high, but should be kept lower.
Curly Mint (M. spicata variety crispii) - This plant is valued more for its intricately curled, fringed leaves than for its fragrance. The foliage is dark green and lightly splotched with a contrasting lighter green. They can grow up to 2 feet high and are invasive. Chefs like Curly Mint for garnishes, but prefer the pleasant flavor of Spearmint and Peppermint.
Pennyroyal (M. pulegium) - This creeping Mint is used once in a while as a ground cover in cool climates. It has many stems, which grow up to 12 inches high and are covered with small, round to oval, dark green leaves. In the summer it produces bluish-lilac blossoms. Pennyroyal has an enjoyable lemony aroma and is used to flavor meat puddings and fish entrees.
Peppermint (M. piperita) - This spreading plant has a sharp, penetrating yet pleasant, mint aroma. It grows 1 to 2 feet high, but can reach 3 feet when in bloom. The lance-shaped leaves are deeply notched when mature and the flowers are usually purple.
Pineapple Mint (M. suaveolens 'Variegata') - Pineapple Mint is a variegated hybrid of Apple Mint with white or cream blotches on its leaves. It does have a slight Pineapple scent, but the aroma isn't always detectable. This Mint is good for garnishes because the thick leaves are slow to wilt.
Spearmint (M. spicata) - This is considered one of the most popular and versatile garden Mint. Spearmint has a fruity aroma and flavor and blends well in many foods, including salads, sauces, teas and dips. This plant can reach 2 to 3 feet in height when in bloom. It has bright green leaves and purple flowers. Its toothed leaves lack stems, distinguishing this plant from Peppermint.
Water or Bog Mint (M. aquatica) - This aggressive Mint is great for growing along the margins of water gardens, though care must be taken that it doesn’t become troublesome. The Bog Mint grows to a height of 2 or 3 feet. It produces pairs of very fragrant, elliptic-shaped, serrated leaves that are usually tinted with purple and shaded with even more purple on their undersides. The leaves grow from reddish colored stems. In the summer, whorls of lilac colored flowers grow at the stem tips. The leaves may be used to flavor salads and teas.
POTTING:
Apple Mint - Grow Apple Mint in full sun to light shade. Feed them heavily in late summer to guarantee healthy growth the following spring. Apple Mint will survive in dry soil, but will do much better in moist, fertile ground. Mow the Mint patch 2 or 3 times a year to encourage fresh growth. Cut the stems even with the ground and throw out the long, woody stems. Strip off and dry whole leaves for potpourris. Save the top 2 to 3 sets of leaves for fresh use and garnishes. Apple Mint's fragrance may vary in strength; the mild apple flavor doesn't sustain well in dried leaves.
Curly Mint - Grow this Mint in full sun and moist, fertile soil. Cut the stems to the ground and take the 2 or 3 sets of terminal leaves for fresh use. Throw out the rest. This isn't a good Mint for drying or for use alone in teas. It should be used for garnishes, or if dried, as a filler in potpourris.
Pennyroyal - This Mint prefers full sun and well-drained soil, but will grow in light shade if competition from tree roots isn't too much. To harvest, lift and clip off the aboveground runners before blooming begins. Use only small amounts of Pennyroyal leaves for culinary flavoring, because too much can be poisonous. It is used in sachets and as an insect repellent, but patch test it first, since some people are allergic to it.
Peppermint - Peppermint is aggressive and will naturalize in light shade and rich, moist soil. To keep it from running rampant, grow it in large, shallow tubs with drainage holes. Place bricks under the tubs to prevent the roots from growing through the holes. Peppermint should be cut to the ground at least twice each summer. After cutting, feed and water heavily to induce fresh top growth. Use leaves and twigs fresh or dried in teas, tisanes, and iced beverages. To preserve the flavor when dried, keep leaves and twigs whole until you're ready to use them.
Pineapple Mint - Pineapple Mint is grown and harvested the same way as Apple Mint. Rich soil give the foliage a mostly green color and less fertile, a more vividly blotched color. Pineapple Mint must be used fresh because it has no value when dried.
Spearmint - Grow and harvest Spearmint as you would Peppermint. Spearmint will quickly overrun gardens if not confined to a container. The leaves are best used when fresh; for dried leaves Peppermint is superior.
Water or Bog Mint - Grow Bog Mint in one- or two-gallon containers and set with up to 3 inches of water over the crown, in sun or partial shade.
PROPAGATION:
Apple Mint - This Mint rarely comes true from seed and is hard to find because all the Mints cross readily. Buy plants or get Mint runners from a friend. It is best to plant them in the spring, even though it will take several weeks before they'll get noticeably larger.
Curly Mint - Transplant runners or potted plants in the spring or early fall.
Pennyroyal - Transplant potted plants or use rooted runners from old plants. You can also start seeds indoors in early spring.
Peppermint - Peppermint doesn't breed true from seeds, so use potted plants or transplant pieces of runners in the spring or autumn.
Pineapple Mint - This Mint is increased the same way as Apple Mint.
Spearmint - Spearmint is propagated the same way as Peppermint.
Water or Bog Mint - Plant rooted pieces of stem.
VARIETIES:
Apple Mint - M. suaveolens.
Curly Mint - M. spicata variety crispii.
Pennyroyal - M. pulegium.
Peppermint - M. piperita.
Pineapple Mint - M. suaveolens 'Variegata'.
Spearmint - M. spicata. The large-leaved cultivar Scotch and the small-leaved Native contain the most mint oil. Kentucky Colonel is a strongly scented hybrid favored for juleps. Curly and variegated cultivars also exist.
Water or Bog Mint - M. aquatica.