Ginger Mint
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Ginger Mint Mentha x gracilis
 Ginger Mint is a highly ornamental herb. This plant has bright green leaves streaked with splotches of yellow. The leaves have a fresh, fruity fragrance that makes a welcome addition to fruit salads and beverages. It grows best in rich, well-drained soil.Ideal Location- Ginger mint is very tolerant of almost all conditions, but like all plants it will grow best in certain conditions. The soil should be well dug, fertile and water-retentive, but not waterlogged. While ginger mint will grow well in full sun, it does not like dry conditions. Its preference is therefore for partial shade, and it is well suited to a North-facing wall. Cultivation- Sow seeds in warm, rich, moist well-draining soil, 1/4 in. (65mm) deep. Thrives in partly shady locations with plenty of moisture and spreads voraciously. Allow 12 to 18 in.(30-45cm) between plants. Do not dress the soil with too much organic matter or fresh manure, as this will cause rust problems Add a medium-fertility soil improver when planting or dividing. Cut to the ground level in autumn. Divide every 2-3 years. To propagate, take root cuttings or divide established plants. Becasue ginger mint is such a strong-growing plant, it can easily kill nearby plants. The solution when planting outside is to sink a bottomless container, such as an old bucket, in the ground and plant the mint in this area. The roots might not be stopped 100%, but it will do the job. Another alternative is to dig a hole to a depth of 30cm (1ft) and line it with black plastic (pierced with small holes for drainage). The soil is then replaced in the black plastic and the mint planted in that area.
Mulching the soil will go a long way to keeping mint happy - it will achieve the all important job of keeping a moist root run which mint likes so much. A twice yearly feeding with bonemeal will keep it even happier. Remove the flowers by hand as soon as they appear because if left, they will reduce the amount of leaves. There is very little else to do except enjoy it.
Ginger Mint suffers from only one disease and that is rust - allow it to get a hold and it will kill all your mint plants Uses- Ginger mint can be harvested for at least six months of the year when grown outside, and are superb when used to flavor meats (lamb is best known), vegetables , salads, tea , jellies, and soda.. Ginger mint is also used in cosmetics, and in aromatherapy.
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