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Melissa officinalis

 
Melissa officinalis

Common name lemon balm
Family lamiaceae
Life cycle perennial herb
Flowers white (summer)
Size 4 ft
Light full sun
Cultural notes not fussy, drought-tolerant

Wonderfully fragrant foliage. Not invasive by roots, but deadhead to prevent seeding. For us, it's right on the border between 'weed' and 'desirable plant'. I wouldn't want to be without it altogether, but its ability to spread itself around can get somewhat tedious. At least it's not hard to extract the whole plant where it's not welcome.

We left this plant behind in our Pennsylvania garden (and wish it well); we don't grow it in Houston.

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