Calamintha nepeta is a beautiful perennial which forms a low growing mound of soft, greyish green oregano like leaves and taller lavender blue spikes of pretty flowers in summer.
It is famous as a culinary herb in Tuscany were its distinctive minty flavour adds a regional edge to dishes.
Its soft and minty fragrance wafts throughout the garden when brushed and was typically used to make a soothing tea which is good for aiding digestion and stomach complaints.
Said to be helpful for insomnia too, it is also used as a culinary herb - either fresh or dried (dried is stronger) adding a minty flavour with over tones of thyme and oregano.