Clinopodium nepeta ex 'Marvelette Blue'
Common name(s): lesser calamint
Description: perennial; 'Marvelette Blue' is a compact selection of C. nepeta with lilac-blue flowers. Aromatic foliage and constantly blooms of tiny lilac-blue flowers from spring until the first hard frost (usually mid November in our area). One of the best pollinator plants in our selection.
Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 18 in.
Position: full sun and well-draining soil
Uses: ornamental, culinary- in Italian and Corsican cuisine
Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below
Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought
Care: no special care needed - can be pruned or cleaned up in spring to promote basal growth
Notes: Clinopodium nepeta 'Marvelette Blue' (syn: Calamintha nepeta) is effectively a seed-strain cultivar even though it probably shouldn't be (see Botanical FAQ) since it can easily be cloned. Though we propagate it clonally, our stock is likely derived from several generations of seed which would result in genetic variation from the original 'Marvelette Blue' - thus "ex".