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[Campo Girl]

The common mint (M.spicata) is the most widely grown of the culinary mints. All have clean, frsh flavours and can be dried or frozen. Mint leaves make good garnishes for vegetables, fruit salads and summer drinks. They are also used to make mint sauce or jelly. These invasive hardy perennials have long growing seasons and bear small purple flowers in summer.

Apple mint (M.suaveolens). The rounded, hairy, grey-green leaves have a strong fragrance and aroma, and are particularly good in mint sauce.

Height spread: 1x1.2m (3x4 ft)

Bowles' mint (M x villosa var. alopecuroides). The large and rounded leaves are light green and downy.

Height spread: 1x1.2m (3x4 ft)

Common mint, garden mint or spearmint (M. spicata). This robust mint has mauve stems with a strong flavour.

Height spread: 1x1.2m (3x4 ft)

Peppermint (M. x piperita). This compact mint has dark green, lance shaped, pungent leaves. The stems are reddish.

Height spread: 50cmx1m (20x36 in)

Cultivation: Mint thrives in any ordinary, moist soil, in sun or partial shade. Grow it in a container sunk to the rim to confine the roots. Cut the stems back in summer to promote new leaf growth.

Propogation: Sow seed outdoors or take root curttings in spring; divide plants at any time.

Pests and Diseases: Mint rust and mildew may affect plants.

[gayleywaley]

My mint has gone completely crazy, its growing really well.

[Campo Girl]

I found mint growing round my pool and I didn't even plant it there! We have always weeded around that area of the pool - for the last 5 months and it certainly wasn't growing there when we moved in, I have left it there because I love mint tea