Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' (Variegated oval-leaf mint bush)

Botanical name

Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata'

Other names

Variegated oval-leaf mint bush, Variegated purple mintbush, Australian mint bush 'Variegata', Variegated Australian mint bush

Genus

Prostanthera Prostanthera

Variety or Cultivar

'Variegata' _ 'Variegata' is a tender, erect, bushy, evergreen shrub bearing small, oval to lance-shaped, mint-scented, grey-green leaves with pale yellow margins and racemes of cup-shaped, purple, lilac, or mauve flowers in late spring and early summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Fragrance

Strongly mint-scented leaves.

Habit

Bushy, Erect

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Colour

Flower

Purple, Mauve, Lilac in Spring; Mauve, Lilac, Purple in Summer

Foliage

Pale-yellow, Grey-green, Variegated in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Red spider mite (box and other)

General care

Pruning

Prune after flowering, but take care as hard pruning may damage the plant.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' (Variegated oval-leaf mint bush) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1.5m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

City, Conservatory, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Greenhouse, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Grow under glass in loam-based compost in full light. In growth, water moderately & feed monthly. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

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

Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Prostanthera ovalifolia 'Variegata' (Variegated oval-leaf mint bush)

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/