Description

Acinos – Calamint

Genus of about 10 species of annuals, and semi-evergreen to evergreen, spreading woody perennials.  Name derives from the Greek word ‘akinos’ means small aromatic plant.  From the mountainous areas of Central and South Europe and Western Asia.  It has opposite leaves with 2 lipped tube shape flower borne on erect spikes mid summer usually with short bushy hairs. Cultivation is quite easy they’re frost hardy and will grow in poor soil as well as its well drained and they resent wet conditions and need full sun. Prone to aphids, spider mites and pyhthium. Acinos arvensis – Clinopodium acinos – Basil of thyme – Mother thyme – Native to North Europe and Western Asia where it’s wide spread.  It is a short lived annual or perennial growing 8”tall and 1’ foot wide with ½” rounded to egg shape leaves that are faintly aromatic.  Mid to late summer it sends out loose spikes of 3-8 violet flowers marked with white on lowers lips. Zones 5-10