Mint is native to Europe but is naturalised throughout the globe, and has been cultivated for its medicinal uses for thousands of years. It's thought the Romans introduced it to Britain.
These days, mint is used mostly as a culinary herb, adding a fresh, summery flavour to salads, sauces, summer dishes and drinks. It's easy to grow and, being perennial, comes back every year. There are many varieties to choose from, each with a distinctive flavour. Best grown in pots in a sunny spot, it's a good idea to grow at least a couple of mint varieties in order to add variety and interest to dishes.
Buddleia mint, Mentha longifolia, is better used as an ornamental herb rather than a culinary one. It's grown for its long, nectar-rich purple flowers, reminiscent of its namesake. It's also very attractive to butterflies. Its long green-grey leaves have a musty mint scent.
Sow seeds indoors or under glass, from spring to early summer. When all risk of frost has passed, harden the plants off by gradually acclimatising them to outdoor conditions, and plant them out in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. If grown in the right spot, they plants will last for several years.
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Mentha and wildlife
Mentha is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
