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Herbaceous PerennialHerbs - Culinary

Melissa officinalis 'All Gold'

lemon balm 'All Gold'

A bushy herbaceous perennial to 30cm tall, with square stems and toothed, wrinkled, golden-yellow leaves to 7cm long. The foliage is aromatic when crushed, with a strong lemon fragrance. Leafy, whorled spikes of pale lilac-tinted, white flowers are borne in summer

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

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)

Botanical details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Melissa are herbaceous perennials with broadly ovate, aromatic leaves and small 2-lipped white flowers in spikes in summer
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor, well-drained soil in full sun, with protection from excessive winter wet. Cut back in early summer for a new flush of vibrantly-coloured growth. Drought resistant once established

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Cut back old top-growth in winter

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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