Mentha Spicata Kentucky Colonel | 9cm Pot

A robust-growing spearmint with large leaves and sweet/spicy flavor. Position: full sun Soil: humus-rich, moisture retentive soil Rate of growth: fast Flowering period: July to August Hardiness: fully hardy ‘Kentucky Colonel’ is a vigorous variety of spearmint with large, crinkled leaves and a delicious flavour used primarily in herbal teas, garnishes, jellies, and sauces. Best grown in containers on the patio or a sunny windowsill, or plunged into a root-restricting pot into the ground to keep it from spreading. Insects will be attracted to its pretty lavender-coloured flowers if left to bloom. 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. Mint can be vigorous in the garden so unless you want a large clump, you can contain it in a pot – but do keep it well watered. 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.