The mint family, formerly known as labiateae, harbors an amazing
number of plants that grow in our gardens, including many aromatic herbs
(mint, sage, oregano), groundcovers (lamium), and upright perennials
(skullcaps, dragonheads). Many members of the family have made
themselves a bad name as thugs in the garden, spreading rampantly by
roots or seed, but the thugs have plenty of well-behaved cousins
that remain welcome in our gardens.