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peteSpeteS Posts: 932
in Plants
My local supermarket is still selling good sized plants of Moroccan Mint and Rosemary at very cheap prices, so I was wondering if they are worth buying for their ornamental values rather than for any culinary purposes. What are their flowers like and do they attract bees etc. Many thanks.

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,306
    The mint will flower around now and does attract bees - but the flowers are relatively few. Pinching the tops out will create more flower stems.
    But they're not great looking plants and if they're happy can spread rapidly.
    I grow mint out of the way in the veg patch which is cooler, moister and not in direct sun all day.

    Rosemary flowers early so will benefit bees and the like.
    It looks ok in a border but they can grow very fast. I have them in pots too.
    I have to prune mine in the ground every month or so to keep it from overshadowing my strawberry bed.
    Rosemary is happy baking in the sun all day and once established is almost drought-proof in the ground but will need more frequent watering in a pot
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 4,277
    I have heavy clay and Rosemary won't survive the winter just too wet.
    RETIRED GARDENER, SOUTH NOTTS, SOIL.

    BROWN IS A COLOUR   Piet Oudolf
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,197
    @GardenerSuze we are in heavy clay and our rosemary has survived being moved many times since we moved in 1978!
    @peteS the mint is great if you like tea. Collect it and allow it to dry and then make a cup.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 4,277
    @bertrand-mabel I rescued one from the 'hospital corner at the GC a few weeks ago. It's only small but maybe this time I will have more success.
    RETIRED GARDENER, SOUTH NOTTS, SOIL.

    BROWN IS A COLOUR   Piet Oudolf
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,149
    Mint flowers are insignificant really and best pinched out as what you want is the foliage for flavouring sauces, salads, tisanes etc.  Also best grown in a large pot in partial shade and kept well watered  so it grows well but is also contained.

    Rosemary has pretty blue flowers in spring and they are very attractive to bees but, in my experience, they don't like winter wet or freezes.  If your soil is heavy or your garden exposed, best grown in a pot you can shelter over winter.   Just using it for cooking will keep it pruned and you can also take cuttings as insurance against winter loss.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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