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Prostanthera sericea

silky mint bush

An erect, evergreen shrub to 2m tall with narrow, cylindrical leaves up to 5cm long; branches and leaves both covered with silvery-green hairs. From spring into early summer, clusters of white to pale purple flowers are borne at the ends of branches

Synonyms
Prostanthera baxteri var. sericea

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Purple Green
Summer White Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Prostanthera are bushy evergreen shrubs with small, dark green, highly aromatic leaves and terminal panicles or racemes of cup-shaped white blue or purple flowers in late spring or early summer

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Grow outdoors only in a frost-free environment with moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Prune after flowering; hard pruning may be detrimental

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 8 after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility

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