Melissa officinalis 'Aurea' (Lemon balm 'Aurea')

Botanical name

Melissa officinalis 'Aurea'

Other names

Golden lemon balm, Lemon balm 'Aurea', Yellow lemon balm , Melissa officinalis var. aurea, Melissa officinalis 'Variegata'

Genus

Melissa Melissa

Variety or Cultivar

'Aurea' _ 'Aurea' is a bushy, deciduous perennial with broadly ovate, scalloped, lemon-scented, dark green leaves, irregularly marked bright yellow, and spikes of creamy-white or pale purple flowers in summer.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Leaves are scented - hence the common name Lemon balm - and can be used to flavour refreshing, cool drinks.

Habit

Bushy, Rounded

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Colour

Flower

White, Pale-purple in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green, Variegated, Bright-yellow in Spring; Dark-green, Bright-yellow, Variegated in Summer; Variegated, Dark-green, Bright-yellow in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Leafhoppers

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Melissa officinalis 'Aurea' (Lemon balm 'Aurea') will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Beds and borders, Wildlife

Cultivation

Melissa officinalis will grow happily in any soil or aspect. Dead-head to avoid self-seeding.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Melissa officinalis 'Aurea' (Lemon balm 'Aurea')

Common pest name

tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides brunneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/