Tell me about mint (herb)

[IShitGlitter]

Am a novice gardener but am getting better. I have an empty flower bed about 2m x 0.8/1m its next to my bedroom patio doors (ground floor maisonette) I have a photo somewhere will find it.....

Anyway this year I want to plant a mint plant I know they grow fast and spread but this is what i want so it will be a lovely big full mint bush.

I wont be using it for cooking It may get used in the odd summer cocktail. I want something that when you brush against it the smell will be unreal and will be nice to smell late summer evenings with the patio doors open.

Can anyone recommend a variety of mint that would be ideal? I will find a picture of the flower bed.

I used cat mint in my last garden and can confirm the adage 'don't shit where you eat' applies here! One cat used to just lie in it meowing.

There are various different varieties to choose from and other than chopping it back, it's pretty low maintenance.

Likes free draining soil though, so I'd dig in some grit if you have heavy clay, like we do.

This is interesting - literally zero cats have any interest in any of the many catmint plants around my garden! I wonder if there's a different and more enticing strain in the UK?

Catnip proper is nepeta cataria. It's not as pretty as other nepetas, which may be what you have.

Only about 75% of cats are affected by catnip. Mine is one of the boring 25%.

Rosemary! Mine is looking as gorgeous as ever even after the winter. As long as it is not in a bed that will become in any way waterlogged. That or lavender.

i already have a lavender in the main border along the grass i repotted it into the ground in sept am hoping it will do just as well there. I also have a hydrangea already again in a main border.

I still have my heart set on mint but thinking of a few different varieties maybe apple or pineapple along with a chocolate mint.

I strongly advise only ONE variety of mint.
Mint are very keen self seeders and different mint varieties will cross pollinate and throw up lots of little mixed breed mint babies that are often devoid of flavour.

I suppose you could be super vigilant about chopping the flower buds off but what are a shame that would be when they are so pretty and loved by all the insects.

@Nandocushion ha ha, maybe......!

Mint won't smell when you brush against it BTW. I'd go for mint in large pot by the back door, and a jasmine against the fence for scent, plus catmint six hills giant in that bed - it will fill the space, needs only a little trim after flowering to encourage it to flower again, flowers all summer and bees love it. You can plant nicotiana around it for additional scent so you can sit in the garden drinking mojitis in the evening and enjoying it!

i dont mind the flowers if they flower the more the merrier.