Lemon balm – Melissa officinalis
Smells wonderfully fresh and brings fine citrus notes to tea, desserts and summer drinks.
blossom
White, June to August.
plant
Perennial with lemon-scented leaves, 40 to 60 cm tall.
In the pot
Lemon balm prefers sunny conditions but also tolerates partial shade. The substrate should be loose and well-drained – ideally, a mixture of garden soil, compost, and sand. The soil should not dry out. Since lemon balm grows quite large, it can be kept alone in a pot. In mixed plantings, it grows best in the center, as it is not very sturdy.
Care
During hot periods, water regularly. Prune in early spring, then fertilize with horn meal and apply a light layer of compost. Protect with brushwood during the first winter.
Ecological value
Good wild bee pasture.
