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Herbaceous PerennialHerbs - Culinary

Mentha cervina alba

white hart's pennyroyal

An attractive, creeping, herbaceous perennial, perfectly suited to wet ground or in water, with narrow, lance-shaped, aromatic, green leaves and small white flowers that appear in tight whorls in summer. Leaves and flowers are edible and fantastic for pollinators

Synonyms
Preslia cervina 'Alba'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched, Columnar upright
Genus

Mentha are aromatic, rhizomatous perennials with opposite, toothed leaves and small tubular flowers in spikes of whorls in summer

Name status

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well drained soil in full or partial sun. May have to potential to become a nuisance; plant in a well chosen site where it can grow unrestricted. See mint cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by division in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Cut back after flowering in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to mint rust and powdery mildews

Get involved

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