Varieties of Roman Mint
- Mentha spicata "Kentucky Colonel" grows in USDA Hardiness zones 5 through 9. The flowers bloom in shades of light purple, white and pink in summer and early fall. Kentucky Colonel spearmint grows in full sunlight to partial shade, and will thrive only in moist soils. The Kentucky Colonel variety of spearmint is used to make the mint julep, the famous drink of the Kentucky Derby, and this is where it gets its unusual name.
- Mentha spicata "Scotch spearmint" also flowers in late summer to early fall. The plant is prized mainly for the fragrant mint oil which may be extracted from the leaves. Scotch spearmint has deeply-colored green leaves and grows in a variety of conditions, but it is susceptible to verticillum wilt, which may be fatal to the plant.
- Mentha spicata "Native spearmint" is hardy to disease and weather conditions, but the leaves are not as fragrant or tasty as sweeter Roman mint varieties like Kentucky Colonel. Verticillum wilt is not fatal to native spearmint, though the plant may act as a host of the disease and spread it to other garden plants. Pest and mite damage is also less severe in native spearmint than in other varieties of spearmint plants.
- Propagate spearmint through small cuttings, which may be taken from existing plants and planted directly in the ground. Spearmint grows well in a variety of conditions, and spreads as it grows. Gardeners may need to prune the plant to keep it from spreading too far in the garden. Spearmint plants may be harvested in late fall after the foliage has leafed out. The leaves may be used dried or fresh.
