Grandma would have loved this mint. She used to have bottles of the 4711 Eau de Cologne and would let me splash some on as a treat.
When I first heard of this mint, I thought it had an unusual name. Even when a friend gave me a couple of cuttings, I still had no inkling why it was named so. I was tempted to do a scent-test but could not bear to sacrifice any of the leaves.
So I waited. When a leaf finally matured and yellowed, I crushed it. Its fragrance was subtly sweet.
I mollycoddled the mint but its growth was erratic. When the two mint stems dwindled, my heart sank.
Then I bought a pot of un-named mint from a garden centre. The leaves were huge!
After planting it into a small trough and taking the requisite snapshot of this new kid on the block, I let it be.
It was after the arrival of this newcomer that I realized a strange but pleasant phenomenon.
Each time I watered or hosed the herbs, a sweet fragrance would linger in the air. It happened time and time again. I zeroed in on the ‘culprit’. It could only be the mint. And it had to be the Eau de Cologne.
Finally I realised why the plant was given its name. Now, whenever I water the plants in the garden, I approach the Eau de Cologne mint with a sense of anticipation …
Care and propagation: rich, well drained soil; shade to partial sun; water regularly but don’t overwater; propagate using cuttings or runners
The name rings a bell, 4711 Eau de C. Did it come in a cylindrical floral bottle and metal cap? I think my Mum had one like that sitting on her dressing table when I was a kid. It must have been the hippest perfume in its day. I wonder where you can buy one now?
Why buy one when you can get a plant and grow it and rub the leaves over yourself? =D
Good idea! 🙂