Real World Gardener Australian Mint Bush in Plant of the Week

PLANT OF THE WEEK <p style="font-weight:400;">Prostanthera lasianthos and other species. Australian Mint Bush It smells like mint but is it? The leaves are round or sometimes oval or even pointy. </p> <p style="font-weight:400;">It’s even in the same family as common mint: Lamiaceae Australia does have a wide variety of endemic mint bushes. There are 90 species all of which originate somewhere in the bush,  but how well does it do in your garden?  I'm talking with Adrian O’Malley, qualified horticulturist and native plant expert.  Prostanthera comes from the Greek for an appendage because inside the flowers are small spur-like appendages on the anthers.  These minty plants are bushy, evergreen shrubs, usually with strongly aromatic leaves.</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">Heaps of purple flowers covers the soft leaves all through spring and early summer, attracting butterflies and small insect-eating birds. </p> <p style="font-weight:400;">did you know?</p> <ul><li>Mint bushes often wilt when they badly need a water, particular in the summer months.Because of this, they are excellent "indicator" plant for the rest of the garden.</li> </ul>   Prostanthera lasianthos <p> Some of the varieties available are:</p> <p>Prostanthera lasianthos is quick growing and in good conditions may reach 8-10 metres. Tolerates heavy shade as well as full sun.</p> <ol><li> ovalifoliahas very aromatic foliage. Quick growing and spectacular in flower. Prune back by about one third to keep that bushy habit. Suitable for full sun or semi shade.</li> <li> rotundifolia- Very aromatic foliage. Quick growing and spectacular in flower. Needs pruning back by about one third every year to keep a bushy habit. Can grow in sun or semi shade. <a href='https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cHxB2evpHk/XvVqzRsIFUI/AAAAAAAAiO0/6XUeL1A2KV8kqu-5VpPO1lkMSduTVWVkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Prostanthera_lasianthos_flowers.jpg'></a></li> </ol><p>The leaves are round while growing as a compact shrub that reaches a height of one and a half metres