Spearmint 'Kentucky Colonel'

Try to plant in a location that enjoys dappled sun and remember to water moderately. Kentucky Colonel is generally regarded as a hardy plant, so this plant will survive close to or on freezing temperatures. Kentucky Colonel needs a loamy, potting mix and clay soil with a ph of 6.5 to 7.0 (weakly acidic soil to neutral soil).

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 11.7 inches (30.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.23 inches (0.6 cm).

Kentucky Colonel is hardy, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside.

The genus name comes from Menthe or Minthe, a water nymph in Greek mythology, who was transformed by Persephone into a mint plant in revenge for Minthe’s ongoing affair with Hades (husband of persephone). Specific epithet means spike.³

This is the official mint of the mint julep.¹

¹ The Herb Society of America information sheet on Metha spicata ‘Kentucky Colonel’

² Missouri Botanical Garden

³ .missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a244