Harts Pennyroyal ‘Alba’ Mint

Description

Delve into the quiet elegance of Hart’s Pennyroyal ‘Alba’, a rare form of Mentha cervina, also known as Water Spearmint or under its historic name Preslia cervina ‘Alba’. While often described as having white flowers, the truth is more nuanced—the blooms are indeed paler than the typical form, but rarely, if ever, truly white. Their soft, silvery-lilac hue adds a delicate contrast to the slender, aromatic foliage, creating a gentle charm that stands out in any herbaceous planting.

Like all Hart’s Pennyroyals, this is a true marginal—it flourishes in wet soils and shallow water, making it an excellent candidate for bog gardens, pond edges, or damp containers. With its subtle, spearmint-like scent and restrained growth habit, ‘Alba’ offers a more refined, less aggressive alternative to more rampant mints.

Historically valued for its mild medicinal uses and aromatic properties, Mentha cervina has long been cultivated across southern Europe. This lighter-flowered form adds an extra layer of visual interest while retaining the cool, calming qualities of the species. Ideal for light herbal teas, gentle infusions, and as a pollinator-friendly accent in damp settings, Hart’s Pennyroyal ‘Alba’ is a connoisseur’s mint—understated, graceful, and botanically intriguing.