Species mintbush

mintbush

Prostanthera 'Poorinda Ballerina'

Mintbush (Prostanthera 'Poorinda Ballerina') is a compact shrub with a profusion of fragrant, dark pink flowers in spring and summer. Growing to between 2 and 3 feet tall and wide, it is ideal for gardens of any size. Its glossy, dark green foliage is where its name comes from, emitting a distinct mint scent when crushed. Mintbush is deer resistant and drought tolerant, making it a good choice for many gardens. Its bright pink flowers are also attractive to bees and butterflies. This hardy shrub can be easily pruned to maintain its shape and require little to no maintenance.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

8 - 10

Flowers:

White to pale lilac with yellow throats Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,tan

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Mintbush (Prostanthera 'Poorinda Ballerina') needs to be watered on a regular basis in order to thrive. During the warmer months from Spring to Autumn, it should be watered deeply and thoroughly at least once a week and more often in hotter weather. In cooler months, when the plant is in a dormant state, it should be watered only when the topsoil is dry. It is best to avoid over-watering, as too much moisture can cause root rot. Once established, the mintbush should be able to thrive with minimal water attention.

sunlight

Mintbush (Prostanthera 'Poorinda Ballerina') thrive in sunny to partially shaded positions. The optimal amount of sunlight for mintbush is 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. During the hottest times of the year, it is important to make sure the plant has some protection from the hot afternoon sun. Too much direct sunlight can burn the foliage and cause foliage damage. Mintbush can also cope with some shade, however, lack of sunlight will cause a decrease in flowering and potentially may even reduce the overall health of the plant.

pruning

Mintbush (Prostanthera 'Poorinda Ballerina') should be pruned lightly at the end of winter, or early spring to promote flowering in late spring and summer. This includes removing any dead, crossing or diseased branches, as well as selectively cutting back overgrown branches to maintain a good shape. This should only require minimal pruning to maintain the desired size. It is recommended to only prune the Prostanthera 'Poorinda Ballerina' lightly. Too much pruning can reduce the number of flowers produced.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Mintbush typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in October or November.

Hardiness Map