Alphabetical Plant Listing

Calamintha nepeta (Lesser Calamint)

Lesser Calamint, Clinopodium calamintha, Clinopodium nepeta, Thymus minor, Thymus minus


Noted for its clouds of delicate flowers, Calamintha nepeta (Lesser Calaminth) is a compact, bushy, rhizomatous perennial with loose clusters of tiny, tubular, two-lipped white or pale lilac flowers. Flowering from late summer until frost, the luminous blossoms are borne on upright stems clad with aromatic, semi-evergreen, ovate gray-green leaves. When crushed or brushed against them, they release a delicious minty-lemon fragrance. Forming a dense, spreading foliage mat, Calamintha is a lovely choice for the front of sunny borders where you can savor its beauty and fragrance.

  • Grows up to 1-2 ft. high and wide (30-60 cm). May spread in the garden to form an attractive ground cover.
  • Performs best in full sun in slightly alkaline, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Prefers evenly moist soils, but tolerates some drought.
  • Perfect for beds and borders, cottage gardens or rock gardens. Excellent groundcover, edging plant for walks, patios or herb gardens. Attractive when sprawled over retaining walls or in containers.
  • Easy to grow and virtually pest-free. Watch for powdery mildew.
  • Attractive to bees, but deer resistant.
  • Easily started from seed
  • Cut back plants after flowering to tidy the planting and/or to prevent any unwanted self-seeding.
  • Native to Europe, NW Africa, N Turkey, Caucasus, Ukraine

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Climate Zones 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 15" – 18" (37cm – 45cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United Kingdom
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

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Botanik Foto

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Climate Zones 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 15" – 18" (37cm – 45cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United Kingdom
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

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