Melissa officinalis Variegata

Melissa officinalis ‘Variegata’ better known as Variegated Lemon Balm is a delightful herb that combines deliciously fresh citrus fragrance with attractive ornamental foliage. Its bright green leaves are beautifully marked with creamy-white variegation creating a fresh uplifting appearance that makes it just as suited to a border or container as it is to a traditional herb garden. The aromatic leaves have a wonderfully lemony scent and can be picked throughout the growing season for use in the kitchen. Add them to summer drinks fruit salads desserts sauces and salads for a refreshing citrus flavour or use fresh leaves to make a soothing herbal tea. Regular harvesting encourages new growth giving you a plentiful supply of fresh leaves to enjoy. Variegated Lemon Balm is also a valuable plant for wildlife-friendly gardens. Its small flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects during summer adding another reason to grow this useful herb. The attractive foliage also provides plenty of interest before and after flowering. For the best results plant Melissa officinalis ‘Variegata’ in sun or partial shade in reasonably fertile well-drained soil. It is an easy-going perennial and can be grown in the ground or in containers making it suitable for gardens of all sizes. Growing it in a pot can also help keep its spreading habit under control. Whether you're looking for a productive culinary herb a fragrant plant for a patio or an attractive addition to a mixed border Variegated Lemon Balm is a wonderfully versatile choice. Its combination of fresh citrus fragrance useful leaves and eye-catching foliage makes it a particularly rewarding herb to grow.