Mentha spicata 'Kentucky Colonel'

Search PlantFinder Names

Mentha spicata 'Kentucky Colonel'

(0 ratings) --- Rate this plant / Read comments

Kemper Code: A244

Common Name: spearmint
Zone: 5 to 9
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: July - August
Bloom Color: Lilac to pink to white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium

Plant Culture and Characteristics

Sources for this plant

View our source(s)

Where is this species invasive in the US?

Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Best grown in rich, moist soils in full sun to part shade. Adapts to a wide range of soils except dry ones. Large plantings may be sheared after bloom to remove flower spikes and stimulate new vegetative growth. Soil barriers may be used to restrain rhizomatous spread if plants are grown in borders or other areas where spread is unwanted.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a rhizomatous, upright perennial which is most commonly grown as a culinary herb and/or ground cover. It typically grows to 2' tall and spreads by rhizomes to form an attractive ground cover. 'Kentucky Colonel' features superior foliage to the species. It features ovate to lanceolate dark green leaves (to 3" long) and terminal spikes of small lilac to pink to white flowers in summer. Leaves have a strong spearmint fragrance and taste, and may be used to flavor teas, in salads, as a garnish or in pot pourris.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Can be an aggressive spreader.

Uses:

Herb gardens. Naturalize as a ground cover in moist informal areas such as pond/water garden margins or low open woodland areas.