Calamintha grandiflora Variegata - Calamint

Calamintha grandiflora Variegata, also known as Variegated Calamint, is a simply wonderful small bush, with a spicy mint fragrance, pale green wavy foliage splashed with cream and exquisite pink bell-shaped flowers that bloom from June to September. This perennial grows in dense clumps and is an aromatic plant, but does not have the invasive character of its relative, garden mint. It only requires a bit of warmth and well-drained soil at its roots and light shade, in the front of flower beds or in a rock garden.

Calamintha grandiflora 'Variegata' belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is a cultivar derived from Calamintha grandiflora, which grows wild in the woods of southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, up to Iran. Its trailing rhizomes produce densely clumped stems that can reach a height of 30 cm (12in) with a spread of 45 cm (18in). From June onwards, at the axils of the upper leaves, which all face the same direction and are arranged horizontally, loose clusters of bright pink flowers, measuring 25 to 35 mm (1in) in length, appear, attracting bees and butterflies. The leaves are deciduous, pale green variegated with cream, ovate with toothed edges, wavy, hairy, and measure 5 cm (2in) in length. The plant emits a fragrance of mint, lemon, and pepper.

Plant Variegated Calamint in moist but well-drained soil, in a sheltered position away from scorching sun and strong winds. Although very hardy, this plant does not appreciate heavy soils, waterlogged in winter. However, it tolerates limestone soils very well. To promote flower production, it may be useful to regularly remove faded flowers. Remove stems with non-variegated leaves, which have reverted to the original species. Cut back faded stems before winter, leaving the foliage to protect the crowns.

Variegated Catmint will find a place in flower beds in front of roses, in pots accompanied by Erigeron karvinskianus and Phlox subulata, near a pathway to fill the air with its fragrance when brushed against, in the border of a gravel path along with Teucrium chamaedrys and Origanum vulgare 'Country Cream', or in a rockery. In wet regions with heavy soil, these plants can be planted in a large rockery, a scree garden, a paved area, or on a well-exposed slope. And of course, this herb can be used in cooking to delicately flavour tabbouleh, infusions, drinks, and more.

Calamintha grandiflora is well-known in the Aubrac mountains, it also grows in the Alps (700 to 2,100 m (7ft) altitude), the Pyrenees, and the mountains of Corsica.