There are many types of mint to use in the garden. Only 18 are true species, the rest are hybrids that have occurred from one mint cross-pollinating another.
Mint ranges enormously in height. Use very lowgrowing mint as ground cover on rockeries, paths in herb gardens and between paving stones.
Ideal situation
Grow several mints together in a large circular bed to display the variety of leaf shapes and colour. Keep the roots of each type contained.
Plant mint in a bed with annuals. Each year in autumn, reduce the mint in size as you prepare the bed for the next season. Use shorter species in the front of the bed and taller ones to mingle with taller annuals. The overall effect is of a cottage garden.
Use creeping pennyroyal (M. pulegiurn) and the low-growing Corsican mint (M. requienii) to fill in space between stepping stones or paving. Both grow best in damp soil, so they are useful as natural edging for a pond.
Mint thrives in shade and gives ground cover at the base of a hedge or fence. It does not matter if it grows out into the grass, as mowing will keep it trim, without killing it.
Planting and care
Mint is best grown from rooted cuttings which are taken when you divide an existing clump. If growing mint for the first time, either ask a gardening friend for a cutting or buy young plants in spring from garden centres. Plant out into tubs for patio or window-boxes or straight into the garden when the danger of frost is over.