Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Prune in late winter before new growth appears. May be cut to the ground in late winter each year and grown as an herbaceous perennial in somewhat the same manner as buddleia. Fall flowers bloom on new growth of the season.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Elsholtzia stauntonii, commonly called mint shrub, is a semi-woody, deciduous shrub of the mint family. Typically grows 3-5' tall. Features toothed, ovate-elliptic leaves (2-5" long) which emit a minty fragrance when crushed and narrow, upward pointing spikes (to 8" long) of two-lipped, densely-packed, lilac-purple flowers in autumn.
Genus name honors Johann Sigismund Elsholtz (1623-1688), Prussian horticulturist and physician, author of the once popular Vom Garten-Baw.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Shrub or perennial borders.