Mintbush (Prostanthera 'Poorinda Ballerina') is an evergreen Australian shrub that brings fragrant foliage and delicate spring blooms to temperate gardens. Growing 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, this member of the mint family produces highly aromatic leaves that release their minty scent when brushed or bruised, a trait that inspired its common name. Hardy in zones 8 to 10, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and offers reliable season-long appeal with its moderate water and maintenance needs.
Partial Sun
Moderate
8-10
60in H x 60in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
The aromatic foliage is the real draw here; touching or brushing the leaves releases a powerful minty fragrance that rewards you every time you pass by. From May through July, delicate flowers appear and draw butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden, while the plant's native Australian heritage and deer resistance mean it settles into the landscape without fuss. Its moderate, compact size and tolerance for both full sun and part shade make it adaptable to many garden positions.
Mintbush thrives as a flowering hedge, where its compact size and dense growth create a living screen while its spring blooms add seasonal interest. The aromatic foliage also appeals to gardeners who enjoy brushing leaves in passing to release fragrance, and its pollinator-friendly flowers make it a functional addition to gardens designed to support local butterfly and hummingbird populations.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Tip prune as needed after flowering to shape the plant and encourage fuller growth. This post-bloom timing takes advantage of the plant's natural growth cycle and helps maintain the compact, mounding form characteristic of this cultivar.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Prostanthera is a genus of about 100 species of evergreen shrubs native to southeastern Australia and Tasmania, inhabiting diverse landscapes from coastal areas to dry forests, rainforest, and even sub-alpine zones. The common name 'mint bush' reflects what gardeners notice first: the square stems and opposite, highly aromatic leaves characteristic of the mint family (Lamiaceae). 'Poorinda Ballerina' represents the work of modern plant breeding, developing a cultivar refined for garden performance in regions beyond its native range.”