What: Prostanthera cuneata, commonly called alpine mint bush, becomes a compact spreading mound in the garden. The tiny evergreen leaves have a refreshing minty fragrance when rubbed between your fingers. In late spring to early summer, small orchid-like white flowers cover the shrub and are very attractive to pollinators. It’s not necessarily a long-lived plant, but it should grow well and be beautiful for at least a decade.
The plant is native to southeastern Australia and is found at subalpine elevations among low shrubs and granite rocks. Who would have thought this cute little shrub from Down Under would be such a good grower in the Pacific Northwest?
Where: Alpine mint bush grows best in full sun to light shade. Any well-drained soil is fine for growing this shrub, but it will tolerate sandy soils and dry locations.
Size: The evergreen grows to be 2 feet tall and 5 feet wide when mature.
Care: Once established, this mounding shrub will thrive on only occasional watering and can be completely drought tolerant.
— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks
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