Mentha Jessica’s Sweet Pear | 9cm Pot

A non-invasive, fruity-scented perennial herb mint with lilac flowers. Position: full sun Soil: humus-rich, moisture retentive soil Rate of growth: fast Flowering period: July to August Hardiness: fully hardy Named after the cat of the famous American botanist, Jim Westerfield, ‘Jessica’s Sweet Pear’ is a vigorous and upright mint that doesn’t shoot out invasive runners making it suitable for growing among other plants. Ideal for tea, jellies, sauces, garnishes and much more, this wonderful herb, whose crushed foliage is reminiscent of ‘pear-drops’, also attracts a myriad of pollinating insects to its lilac ‘pom-pom’ flowers. Garden care: Trim to remove developing flowers if you wish to sustain and refresh the leaves. When plants have finished flowering in summer, cut flowered shoots back to 5cm (2in) above the surface of the compost. Less invasive than other mint varieties, restrict any spread by growing it in a sunken container, with adequate drainage holes. Cut back the old stems in autumn and repot container-grown plants annually in spring, replanting the younger, vigorous sections of the plant in fresh compost.