Variegated Calamint flowers

Variegated Calamint flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Variegated Calamint foliage

Variegated Calamint foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Other Names:  Calamint

Description:

Lovely pink flowers emerge from purple buds and cover this variety throughout summer; light green leaves are marbled beautifully in white and are fragrant; an excellent choice for contrast in borders and containers

Ornamental Features

Variegated Calamint features dainty spikes of pink trumpet-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from early summer to early fall, which emerge from distinctive violet flower buds. Its attractive fragrant oval leaves remain light green in color with showy white variegation throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Variegated Calamint is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Self-Seeding

Variegated Calamint is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Herb Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Variegated Calamint will grow to be about 9 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Variegated Calamint is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.