Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta 'Blue Cloud'

RHS Plant Profile

lesser calamint 'Blue Cloud'

Synonyms

Calamintha grandiflora 'Blue Cloud', Calamintha nepeta 'Blue Cloud', Calamintha nepeta subsp. glandulosa 'Blue Cloud'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A compact, mounded, semi-evergreen perennial with small hairy ovate toothed, fragrant, dark green leaves with the scent of mint. Clouds of long-lasting, branched airy, whorled, small soft blue/lilac two-lipped flowers appear on spikes from July to September. Can be used as a flavouring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or West–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): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Calamintha are pleasantly aromatic perennials with ovate leaves and loose clusters of small, 2-lipped flowers in summer and autumn in the axils of the upper leaves
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in a warm, open site in sun. Grow in humus-rich, well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Does not run like mint, but may self- seed freely in a good site.

Propagation

Propagate by the division of clumps in spring or sow seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Alternatively, sow at 20C in moist compost, keeping cooler after germination.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging

Pruning

Rejuvenate in July with a cut back if necessary and cut to the base in autumn.

Pests

Generally pest-free. Rabbit and deer resistant

Diseases

Generally disease-free