Lemon Bergamot Mint 'Lemon Fresh'

'Lemon Fresh' is a bright and invigorating mint variety that stands out for its clear, citrusy lemon fragrance, which lacks the heavy menthol undertones of common mints. It features narrow, bright green leaves and a more manageable growth habit than some of the more invasive spearmint types, although it still benefits from being grown in a large pot. In the UK, it is a hardy perennial (H7) that performs best in a sunny spot to maximize the production of its aromatic oils, though it will tolerate partial shade. The small, pale lilac flowers appear in late summer and are beloved by hoverflies. The foliage is superb for making refreshing herbal teas, adding to summer cocktails, or infusing into desserts like lemon posset. To keep the plant looking its best and prevent it from becoming 'leggy', it should be cut back to the base immediately after the flowering period, which will encourage a fresh, tidy mound of lemon-scented leaves for the autumn.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist, fertile soil.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: Aug, Sep.