HERB OF THE MONTH MINT

With its strong flavour, distinctive aroma and its versatility, mint has to be one of the best herbs to have outside your back door, ready for you to pick from spring through to autumn

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One thing you can say about mint is that it's not shy and retiring. In fact, it likes to be out there, vigorous and strong, spreading its roots far and wide. So that's why it really needs to be grown in standalone containers or in pots dug into the soil, otherwise it can become quite unruly. As a perennial, it will come back each year, continuing to provide fresh green leaves for the kitchen. But it can also be used for medicinal purposes, for herbal teas and, in flower, it's a gift for pollinators too.

Mint is also quite an extraordinary plant in its ability to present itself in an incredible range of different guises. Chocolate mint, for example, is one of the more surprising varieties, but there is also anything from banana to strawberry scented types too. And it's not just that - the leaves can vary as well, both in pattern and colour.

PROPAGATION CHALLENGE