Lemon balm/mint?

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by sterile, Jul 6, 2010.

  1. sterile

    sterile Gardener

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    I bought a foxglove from a garden centre earlier this year - the foxglove is pretty poor but thought that a very strong weed had grown up against the root. Pulled at the plant to pull it up and an overwhelming smell of lemon came off of it. The leaves look like my mint herb but smell completely of lemon. Have Googled and apparently there is a lemon mint - would such a thing grow all by itself and is it worth keeping? :cnfs:
     
  2. wiseowl

    wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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    Hi Sterile It could be Lemon balm is a perennial herb which grows up to 1 meter high. Lemon balm has an angular stem which branches. The leaves grow in opposite pairs and have a typical lemon flavour when bruised. The white to cream coloured small flowers bloom the whole summer and partly during autumn,it has many uses and is a member of the Mint family:)
     
  3. Victoria

    Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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    There is also Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodona) which is a lovely little shrub to grow and you can dry the leaves and make lemon tea as I do. It must be protected against heavy frost though.
     
  4. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    I've just dug a huge Lemon Balm out. It's a lovely plant, but it needs room to expand and it can get a bit woody after a year or two.
     
  5. lollipop

    lollipop Gardener

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    It is a bit of beast but as Aaron says it needs room. If you cut it right down to about 2 or 3 cm each Spring it will be soft and not woody an still grow quite tall-about 3 ft.
     
  6. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    And spread at least three foot! I need to find somewhere for another, preferably near a path so I can smell it constantly.

    Oh I know, front garden!
     
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