I received this plant as a gift. I believe it to be Mentha longifolia subsp. hymalaiensis. Does anyone know what it is used for?
Himalayan Mint?
I'm not familiar with that kind of mint. Does it smell minty?
Hi roybird! No it doesn't smell like a mint at all, more like oregano. I have heard some people say that it smells like cat pee but I don't think so at all. It sure grows well like a mint though. Noticed some flower buds on one of them so I hope to post a pic soon. I'm afraid to put it in the garden and afraid to taste it too!
It's very pretty and definitely looks like mint. Is the stem square feeling? If it is, that would clarify it as a mint. Are all mints edible? If so, I would be tempted to eat a tiny bite. Also, maybe ask the gift giver a few questions about it. Love a good mystery!
I finally got it figured out. It is a catmint, Nepeta subsessilis http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/204268/ Thanks for your help.
It is a pretty plant. Growing well?
Yes, it is a strong grower and is blooming profusely in part shade. Everything I have read states that it needs moist soil, I hope not. It is very unlike the rest of the catmints.
I had some arnica growing in my garden for several years that needed more water than it ever got. It died last winter. Some plants do alright if conditions are less than perfect but they aren't as strong as they might be. Does that make any sense? I think they have less stamina. It sounds like your plant is happy. Why is it Himalayan? Are the Himalayas the Homeland of catmint? I can picture snow leopards rolling in it!
It is Japanese, I was told first that is was Himalayan then Chinese. It was very confusing to figure it out! What you said about the stamina makes sense. I had a lot of plants die out on me over the winter and spring. It was a very dry winter then a way too wet spring. I think I would like to try an Arnica sometime.
Arnica grows wild in Colorado, in the mountains. Wild crafters gather it and sell it to herbal companies. There is more than one type of arnica. I had read somewhere that only the European kind was effective medicinally but local herbalists just laughed at that one. It was a nice plant with yellow daisy flowers in the spring. It liked some shade and water here. This morning at 6:00 it was already 70 degrees outside!