Melissa officinalis 'Aurea'
Common name(s): variegated lemon balm
Description: perennial; a variegated, golden-leaved cultivar of the well-known herb, lemon balm. Very aromatic lemon-scented leaves and a tendency to reseed itself freely around the garden (which can be prevented with diligent removal of flowerheads before seed ripens). Used extensively in traditional medicine and herbal tea production as well as in the perfume industry.
Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 1 ft.
Position: partial shade to full shade and any soil type
Uses: medicine, culinary- herbal tea, to attract pollinators
Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below
Drought: adapted to 3 months of summer drought
Notes: we purchased our original stock as M. officinalis 'Variegata' which is considered by several authorities to be a misapplied synonym of M. officinalis 'Aurea.' Seedlings of Melissa officinalis 'Aurea' will almost always revert to the green leaf form of M. officinalis
Care: no special care needed, deadhead flowers to prevent unwanted self-seeding