"Phenomenal" Lavender has it all: exceptionally tolerant of both high heat and harsh winter, this easy-to-grow lavender even shows resistance to the effects of humidity. Highly fragrant with concentrated essential oils, "Phenomenal"'s spikes of purple-blue flowers attract butterflies and bees to the garden. Edible, deer-resistant and fast-growing, this silver-leafed lavender has left all other new introductions in the dust! (Lavandula x intermedia) A superior plant for hot, dry slopes and banks, rock gardens, and natural rocky outcroppings. Good in Mediterranean style gardens, traditional mixed borders, and large artistic pots. Grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained, alkaline soils in full sun. Used in perfumes, sachets, oils and for medicinal purposes. Used to deter insects when placed in a closet or room. Attracts butterflies. Remove faded flowers to promote continued bloom. Prune to shape in spring after new leaves appear. Prune back to 8” in spring every 3 years to control plant size and to promote robust, new growth.
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"Phenomenal" Lavender has it all: exceptionally tolerant of both high heat and harsh winter, this easy-to-grow lavender even shows resistance ... more

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), considered a "calming" herb, is a member of the mint family. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, & improve appetite. Nowadays it is used extensively as a mosquito repellant and to attract bees. Chewing a leaf will freshen your breath, or you can soothe a bug bite by placing a leaf of lemon balm on it. It's delicious sprinkled on fruit salad, mixed into muffins, or made into tea. Use it to flavor water or butter. Vigorous grower with scent of lemon.
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Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), considered a "calming" herb, is a member of the mint family. It was used as far ... more

Lemongrass is widely used as a culinary herb in Asian cuisines and also as medicinal herb in India. It has a subtle citrus flavor and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. It is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is also suitable for use with poultry, fish, beef, and seafood. It is often used as a tea in African countries such as Togo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Latin American countries such as Mexico. Lemongrass oil is used as a pesticide and a preservative. Research shows that lemongrass oil has antifungal properties. In the garden, lemongrass forms a tall, grassy clump 3 to 5 feet tall. Its appearance rivals that of many ornamental grasses and can easily fulfill a similar role in the landscape. Due to its tropical nature, lemongrass usually only survives winters in zones 8 and warmer. In middle Tennessee, try growing lemongrass as an annual in planting beds or tucked into pots. This citrus-flavored grass overwinters well in a dormant state in a cool, dark spot indoors, or you can grow it as an indoor herb through winter in colder zones. Harvest lemongrass for its bulbous stem bases, rich with lemony flavor, or clip leaves for infusing tea and soup stock. Start harvesting as soon as plants are 12 inches tall and stem bases are at least ½-inch thick. Cut stalks at ground level, or hand-pull entire stalks. You want to get the entire swollen base, which resembles a scallion or green onion. If a few roots come up with the stalk, don’t worry: It won’t harm the plant. The edible portion of lemongrass is near the bottom of the stalk. Carefully cut off the grassy top part of the plant; use caution, as this can be razor-sharp at times. Leaves can be bundled and added to the liquid in a teapot or stock pot, then simmered to infuse lemon flavor into the brew. Take the lemongrass base and peel the outer fibrous layer to expose the inner white, reedy part. To store, freeze this part either whole or chopped. To make slicing easier, first crush the stem base with the flat blade of a knife. The heart of the stalk (the part you want) has the consistency of soft butter and will then slice easily.
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Lemongrass is widely used as a culinary herb in Asian cuisines and also as medicinal herb in India. It has ... more

Plant Chocolate Mint in the spring after the last frost, or in the fall 2 to 3 weeks before your first frost and have beautiful well-established, rapidly growing plants come up in the spring! It is easy to grow, & spreads rapidly. Water regularly until well established and provide about a half day of sun. When first frost approaches mulch to protect from the winter weather. The leaves of the Chocolate Mint plant die back in winter, and the plant resprouts early the next spring. It is virtually care-free. This is a very strong mint used for teas, with a smell like a peppermint patty. Add fresh leaves to strawberries for a special treat! It's great dried and added to black tea or used by itself.
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Plant Chocolate Mint in the spring after the last frost, or in the fall 2 to 3 weeks before your ... more

Mentha spicata. Mint Julep is a popular variety of Spearmint with small aromatic leaves smelling much like mint julep. Though this is a wonderful mint variety for culinary and tea purposes, to avoid confusion, it is not the mint most commonly used to make the famous mint julep drink, which is Kentucky Colonel Spearmint. Easy to grow. Perennial zone 4-9.
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Mentha spicata. Mint Julep is a popular variety of Spearmint with small aromatic leaves smelling much like mint julep. Though ... more

Monarda citriodora is a member of the mint family. Some other common names for lemon bee balm plants are purple horsemint, lemon mint, plains horsemint, and horsemint. Lemon bee balm is an herbaceous annual native to the central and southern U.S. and northern Mexico. It’s fairly common along roads and in pastures or prairies in these areas. Lemon mint grows to about 30 inches (76 cm.) and produces tight, spike-shaped clusters of lavender flowers. There are several good reasons to grow lemon bee balm plants in your garden. Many gardeners choose this plant for its ability to attract pollinators and for its delightful, lemony aroma. As an herb, it also has some culinary uses. The leaves add a lemon flavor to cooked foods, salads, and teas. They can also be used in potpourri mixes.
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Monarda citriodora is a member of the mint family. Some other common names for lemon bee balm plants are purple ... more

Lime mint is a culinary mint variety with large dark green rounded leaves and tall upright growth habit. It has a citrus-lime scent and flavor. Good tea mint or served with fruit punch, margaritas or other drinks. Easy to grow perennial hardy in zones 4-9.
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Lime mint is a culinary mint variety with large dark green rounded leaves and tall upright growth habit. It has ... more

This mint has fuzzy leaves with a sweet orange flavor, and green, branching stems tinged with red that reach 2 feet when growing in full sun to part shade. Leaves are round to oval, smooth and dark green with a red edge. White and pink flowers in short spikes bloom from mid to late summer. Very fragrant, citrus-like scent. Orange mint thrives alongside water gardens or in damp spots in the yard, but will also survive in drier soil. Lushest growth occurs in moist soil in partial shade, where you may want to leave it in its pot to help curtail its wandering ways. Crush fresh leaves into water for a refreshing beverage, or add to iced tea or cold drinks. Use fresh leaves in salads or to make mint sauce for fish or lamb. Try making orange mint jelly and orange mint vinegar. Pick leaves frequently. Plants open pink blooms in late summer.
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This mint has fuzzy leaves with a sweet orange flavor, and green, branching stems tinged with red that reach 2 ... more

Peppermint generally grows best in moist, lightly shaded locations, with a good supply of water, not water-logged. Peppermint has a long tradition of medicinal use. Peppermint is often used as tea and for flavoring ice cream, confectionery, chewing gum, and toothpaste. The aroma of peppermint has been found to enhance memory. For companion gardening, it is recommended that you grow mint near roses, to help keep aphids away. It may also repel rodents.
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Peppermint generally grows best in moist, lightly shaded locations, with a good supply of water, not water-logged. Peppermint has a ... more

Spearmint is loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and vital nutrients. It does not contain as much menthol as peppermint, but is rich in limonene, dihydrocarvone and cineol. It's a spreading plant great for containers and tolerant of light frost. Its leaves are harvested just before flowering stage for culinary purposes, or gathered in full flower for distillation of essential oils. Wash the leaves in clean running water, pat dry with absorbent paper, & store in vegetable compartment of refrigerator for use in near future. Dried spearmint is used in teas & drinks. To dry, spread leaves on a plastic sheet, allow to dry under shade, & store in airtight container in cool place away from sunlight. It’s the best mint variety for hot and cold drinks. Toss bruised leaves into ice water for a refreshing summer drink or add to iced tea.
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Spearmint is loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and vital nutrients. It does not contain as much menthol as peppermint, but is ... more