Lemon Balm, Motherwort and Mountain Mint did not Flower
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Colin
Posted on: August 29, 2012

We purchased Lemon Balm plants from you last Spring and no flowers ever developed. Will they have flowers this summer?

Our Motherwort and mountain mint also did not develop flowers last spring, and can we expect flowers from them this summer?

Most likely. We grew these plants from seed and perennials tend to flower the second year at the earliest.

The Anise hyssop did very well, however the hyssop plants did not winter well and only 4 out of 12 plants survived. Our honey bees did not seem to be attracted to this as much as the Anise hyssop. Any suggestions.

I am wondering if your soil suits the hyssop plants only marginally. Since the anise-hyssop did well the soil is likely at least slightly acid. Hyssop likes some lime in the soil. You could try adding some as a top dressing to some of your hyssops if you do not know the pH of your soil and see if the top-dressed plants do better. Also the 2012 winter in North America was very warm with wildly fluctuating temperatures. The hyssops might have broken dormancy and then been killed by returning winter weather. Heavy mulching after freeze-up in early winter prevents such early starts.

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