Gift that became an obsession — Mint

Someone gave me Mint as a birthday gift and I barely knew what it was. Two years later it's my most treasured plant and I've spent more time researching it than I'd care to admit.

The key discovery was pinching out flower buds on basil to extend leaf production — once that clicked, the plant transformed. attractive to bees and other pollinators when in flower is what gets mentioned every time anyone visits. I keep it in an ornamental potager kitchen garden which works perfectly. overwintering woody perennials like rosemary with minimal protection is when I understand why this plant has such devoted followers. bolting in hot dry weather especially with cilantro is the one ongoing challenge but it's worth the effort.