Japanese name: ミントブッシュ Scientific name:Prostanthera
[Overview]
An evergreen shrub.
The leaves have a mint-like fragrance.
The leaves are simple and opposite, round to elliptic.
The flowers are borne singly in the leaf axils and are bell-shaped and two-lipped.
The corolla is mainly white to bluish purple, with the upper lip 2-lobed and the lower lip 3-lobed.
Each flower is short-lived, but flowers open one after another.
The fruit is a schizocarp.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It is not very cold-hardy, so in areas with frost, grow it in a pot and bring it indoors to a sunny spot in winter.
It can overwinter outdoors in areas without frost or cold wind.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
Take care, as direct summer sun or strong afternoon sun can scorch the leaves.
It does not like dryness, but it is also weak against excess moisture, so care is needed.
For potted plants, from spring to autumn water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and keep it on the dry side in winter.
It grows fast and its branches extend readily, so the shape easily becomes untidy; after flowering, cut it back by 1/2–1/3 to reshape it.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
