HERBS for TEA Lemon Balm- Melissa Officinalis

HERBS FOR TEA Lemon Balm- Melissa officinalis. A vigorous For example, peppermint, apple, nutmeg, perennial 2-3’ tall. Prefers full sun. Pinch lemon, coconut and rose.

Apple mint- Mentha suaveolens. Grows to flowers to encourage leaves and discourage seed. Use leaves for a relaxing Spearmint- Mentha spicata. 3’ tall. Needs full sun. Tolerates dry Grows 3’ tall in full sun or part conditions more than other mints. Use lemon tea. shade. Use leaves in tea. leaves for tea. Lemon Verbena- Aloysia triphylla. A Stevia- Stevia rebaudiana. A Aztec Sweet Herb- Lippia dulcis. A trailing bushy tender perennial growing 2-10’ tall. Wispy lavender flowers in summer. tender perennial or annual. Leaves add a annual. Leaves add a sweet taste to tea. sweet taste to tea or your favorite cookies. Harvest leaves for a wonderful lemon tea, Bergamot, Bee balm- Monarda didyma. or lemony cookies. Stevia is said to be ten times sweeter than Grows 3-5’ tall and wide. Red flowers in sugar!

July/August. A prime ingredient in Earl Orange Bergamot- Mentha x piperta ‘Orange’. Grows 1-3’ tall in full sun or Tea- Camellia sinensis. An evergreen shrub Grey tea. Use the leaves for tea. growing 3-6’ tall and wide. Small white or partial shade. The leaves add a strong citrus Bee Balm- Monarda citriodora. Grows 3-5’ flavor to tea. pink flowers in November. Prefers partial tall and wide. Partial shade. Pink flowers shade. Pick new leaves to brew your own also attract butterflies, bees and humming Peppermint- Mentha x piperita. Grows up cup of green tea. to 3’ tall. Full sun to light shade. It is said birds. Leaves add a lemony aroma to tea. White Horehound- Marriubium vulgare. to soothe an upset tummy. Catnip- Nepeta cataria. Grows 3’ tall and Grows to 2’ in full sun. Seeped leaves wide in full sun. You and your cat can Pineapple Sage- Salvia elegans. A tender make a strong tea that is said to relieve enjoy the soothing qualities of catnip. perennial reaching 2-3’ tall. Bright red colds and sore throats.

Steep leaves in water while kitty rolls flowers in late summer attract humming birds. Steep leaves Wintergreen- Gaultheria procumbens. An euphorically at your feet. Place a basket evergreen ground cover preferring partial over the plant if the cat loves it too much. for a fruity tea. shade. Red berries in winter. Pick and

Rose hips- Rosa sp. crush leaves for a nice wintergreen flavored Chamomile- Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) is a mat forming plant. German (Matricaria Size depends on tea. recutita) is a 2’+ tall annual that is easy to variety. Very high in vitamin C, rose hips seed. Use flowers for a relaxing tea. can be dried and stored for later use. They must be boiled in water for ten minutes to Lavender- Lavendula sp. Evergreen shrubs produce a tea. Use 2Tb per pint of water. in many sizes. Lavender thrives in full hot sun. ‘Compacta’, ‘Hidcote’, Rosemary- Rosmarinus. Size of plant ‘Jean Davis’, and ‘Munstead’ depends on variety. Trailing varieties will are good dwarf varieties cascade over the pots. Thrives in full sun. perfect for container culture. Leaves offer a strong aromatic tea.

Use stems and flowers for a Scented Geranium- Pelargonium graveolens. strong aromatic tea. Tender perennial, or annual. A wide range of varieties with many flavors to add to tea. RECOMMENDED cube tray. Fill the tray half way, add a leaf on top, and freeze. COMBINATIONS

Full, Hot Sun: Lavender, Pineapple sage, TIPS FOR TEA POTS Tea Pots Scented geraniums, Aztec sweet herb, Lemon grass and Rosemary. When to plant: These containers can be planted at any time the plants are available. If Partial Shade: Tea, Peppermint, Spearmint, they are planted early in the season, they will Herbs for Tea Bee balm, and Wintergreen. have more time to fill out. and How to Grow Them

Annual Teapots: Lemon grass, Scented Water: In hot sun you will need to water every geranium, Stevia, German chamomile, and day or so. There are products available to help Aztec sweet herb. retain moisture that can help with reducing the need for frequent watering. GROWING HERBS FOR TEA Fertilizer: You can mix a time release fertilizer What could be more satisfying and (such as Osmocote), or a granular organic all- refreshing than growing your own herbs for purpose fertilizer, with the potting soil. tea? Just step out your back door, pluck a few Another method is to fertilize once a month in leaves off your favorite herbs, and within the growing season with an all-purpose liquid minutes you can enjoy a fresh cup of tea. How fertilizer. self-sufficient! Pruning: Shrubby herbs such as lavender, We have compiled a list of herbs perfect for rosemary and tea are pruned in late winter to tea, and life in a container. Most of these early spring. This pruning helps keep the plants require full sun and good drainage. plants compact. Deciduous herbs such as There are some exceptions for light peppermint or bee balm can be cut back to a requirements. Group two or three plants with few inches above the soil in winter. similar light requirements in a container for a nice combination. You can also mass a few Shelter: Tender perennials need additional pots of each herb together for a pleasing shelter to make it through the winter. Pull vignette. containers into a sheltered area such as a porch or garage to ensure plant survival for the next season. MAKING TEA WARNING: Be aware of any chemicals For hot tea, pour boiling water over leaves and steep for a few minutes. Keep in mind to that may have been applied to your herbs. use only small amounts of your herbs for tea, Even organic products can be toxic. large doses of some herbs may be harmful and If unsure it’s better to be safe. extremely bitter. You can put your tea in the Harvest only untreated herbs for tea. fridge for iced tea. Impress your friends by adding a mint leaf to each square of your ice