About
Prostanthera rotundifolia, the round-leaved mint bush, is a bushy evergreen shrub to 2 m with small, ovate, strongly mint-scented leaves and abundantly borne, two-lipped, purple flowers 12 mm across in spring. A rewarding and fragrant shrub for a sheltered, sunny, well-drained, frost-free garden.
About the genus
Prostanthera, the Australian mint bushes, are bushy evergreen shrubs with small, dark-green, highly aromatic leaves and terminal panicles or racemes of cup-shaped, white, blue or purple flowers in late spring or early summer. Grown in sheltered, sunny, well-drained, frost-free gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toSE Australia
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Grow outdoors only in a frost-free environment with moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Prune after flowering; hard pruning may be detrimental
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility