There are many Mints, Spearmint, Peppermint, Apple Mint, and so on. Spearmint is most known for it's use in England with roast lamb with mint sauce. Creme-de-Menthe has perhaps the most delightful scent of all the Mints. It has tiny leaves and a creeping growth habit.

Mints have a shallow, spreading root system, so they prefer to grow in a rather broad, shallow container. Mints can be grown in a flowerbox or pot just as easily as in the garden. However, one good reason to grow Mints in pots is that they can spread through the garden like wildfire, completely dominating less vigorous plants and shrubs.

Mints are perennial herbs. Many varieties can grow to 2-3 feet or more in height. Others are closer to the ground. The stems are squarish and the leaves grow in opposite pairs.

The flowers vary in color from pale pink to violet and grow in small, compact whorls in the leaf axils toward the top of the plant. They have a faint scent of nectar. Intense mint aroma eminates from all parts of the plant.

Mints like even moisture. Water garden plants in dry periods. Mints in flowerboxes and pots need regular watering and feeding throughout the growing season.

If garden-planting is desired, choose a spot where they cannot spread too far. Try them at the edge of a flower-bed edged with stones. Mints like fertile, moist soil and grow best in half-shade, although they can tolerate full sun in cool regions.

Peppermint and Spearmint are two fine culinary varieties which can be grown indoors in pots for shorter periods. The leaves are more likely to be used in cooking if a pot of Mint stands on the kitchen window sill. While Mint dosen't live long indoors, especially in the fall and winter, it is easy to renew.

Use Peppermint to make a refreshing tea or add a leaf or two to other drinks. Mint is also a traditional accompaniment to lamb dishes, either alone or in concert with other herbs.

Apple Mint has a sweet taste and is a native to Southern and Western Europe. It grows to about 3 feet in height.

Melon Salad with Lime and Mint

Make this salad with whatever melon is available: cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, etc...

Serves 4-6 people

1/2 pound melon
Juice of 1 lime
2 Tblsp. white sugar
Salt
15-18 mint leaves,
sliced into narrow strips (about 1/4 cup)

Cut the melon open and remove the seeds. If using watermelon, remove the seeds while you work with it. Use a melon "baller" to make melon balls, or cut off the rind, and cut the melon into chunks.

Combine the lime juice and sugar and toss it with the melon, along with a couple of pinches of salt. Garnish with the mint leaves.

Other fruits can be added to this wonderfully refreshing fruit salad, try raspberries, kiwi, strawberries, grapes, pears, blueberries, whatever strikes your fancy.