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Shrubs

Elsholtzia stauntonii

mint bush

A deciduous, open sub-shrub. Sharply toothed, mint-scented, dark green leaves turn red in autumn. Slender spires of pale purple flower in late summer to autumn

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Chalk

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

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: Bushy
Genus: Elsholtzia is a genus with around 40 species of annuals, perennials and semi-evergreen or deciduous shrubs and subshrubs. Known primarily for their aromatic foliage, they also produce slender racemes of tubular flowers.
Name status: Correct
Plant range: N China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun, mulch with well-rotted organic matter and use a general fertiliser such as Growmore or Vitax Q4 in early spring

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 6 - cut back old shoots in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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