Famous as a culinary herb in Tuscany, Italy were its distinctive minty flavour adds a regional flavour to dishes. Nepitella is a beautiful perennial which forms a low growing mound of soft, greyish green oregano like  leaves and taller lavender blue spikes of pretty flowers in summer.

The soft minty fragrance wafts through the garden when brushed, and was typically used to make a soothing tea good for aiding digestion and stomach complaints. Said to be helpful for insomnia too. Also used as a culinary herb - either fresh or dried (dried is stronger) adding a minty flavour with over tones of thyme and oregano.

Prefers a sunny spot in the garden with good drainage - trim regularly to keep compact and enjoy the profusion of beautiful flowers!