Apple Mint 'Variegata'

Also known as Pineapple Mint, this cultivar is one of the most ornamental mints available for UK gardens. It features striking, small, rounded green leaves with irregular cream or white margins, giving the plant a bright, luminous appearance. The foliage has a refreshing, fruity scent with hints of apple and pineapple, making it a delightful addition to cold drinks, fruit salads, and desserts. It has a somewhat less aggressive spreading habit than other mints, but still benefits from being grown in a container to restrict its wanderlust. It grows to around 30-40cm tall and produces spikes of tiny white or pale pink flowers in late summer. It is hardy (H7) and prefers a moist soil in partial shade, where the variegation is less likely to scorch than in full, midday sun. It is a great choice for adding light to a shadier corner of the herb garden. Regular trimming will encourage the best leaf colour and prevent the plant from becoming straggly.

Sun: Partial shade.

Soil: Moist, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: Aug, Sep.