Mentha × villosa var. alopecuroides Bowles's mint

RHS Plant Profile
Bowles's mint

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Bowles's mint RHS
Bowles's mint RHS

Synonyms

Mentha × villosa var. alopecuroides 'Bowles Variety'
Mentha rotundifolia 'Bowles'
Mentha Bowles's mint
Mentha suaveolens Bowles

Herbaceous Perennial Herbs - Culinary
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A spreading perennial 30-90cm tall, with softly-hairy, rounded, aromatic bright-green leaves. In summer, tiny tubular pink flowers are produced in large, leafy spikes

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Suckering
Genus
Mentha are aromatic, rhizomatous perennials with opposite, toothed leaves and small tubular flowers in spikes of whorls in summer
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist soil in sun or shade. May have to potential to become a nuisance; restrict root run or grow in a container. See mint cultivation for further details

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to Sage leafhopper and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and mint rust