{"product_id":"lemzest-lemon-balm-melissa-officinalis","title":"Lemzest™ Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis 'LB01'","description":"\u003cp\u003eLemzest Lemon Balm (\u003cem\u003eMelissa officinalis\u003c\/em\u003e 'LB01') is a stronger, zestier lemon balm bred by Ozbreed, with a beautifully strong fresh lemon scent. It forms an attractive bushy clump 25cm to 35cm high and 30cm to 40cm wide that makes a garden pleasant to walk through and gives the kitchen a fresh lemon flavour all season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrong lemon flavour.\u003c\/strong\u003e More zest than ordinary lemon balm, so a few leaves go a long way.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA scent worth planting for.\u003c\/strong\u003e The fresh lemon fragrance lifts a path or doorway whenever you brush past.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBushy and tidy.\u003c\/strong\u003e Attractive, compact growth makes a neat clump in a bed or pot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTea, drinks and cooking.\u003c\/strong\u003e It makes a calming herbal tea on its own or with mint, and it flavours fruit juice, mineral water, salads, soups and vinegar, and suits chicken, pork and fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHappier in summer shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e It prefers light to moderate shade in hot summers, so it fills spots where sun loving herbs sulk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHerb beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 30cm to 40cm apart in spring and summer, in full sun to part shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShady kitchen corners.\u003c\/strong\u003e In hot summers it prefers light to moderate shade, so the east side of a house or a spot under a deciduous tree suits it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and doorways.\u003c\/strong\u003e A pot beside the door puts the scent where you walk past it, and it also keeps the plant in check.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeas and cold drinks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick a handful of fresh leaves for tea, or crush a few into a jug of mineral water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Lemzest Lemon Balm in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade, with light to moderate shade in hot summers. Lemon balm is a hardy perennial. In frosty gardens it dies back in winter and reshoots in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fertile, moist but well drained soil with compost worked in suits it best. Avoid ground that stays soggy over winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the soil moist in hot summers, and avoid over watering, particularly in winter. In spring and autumn, if required, apply a slow release fertiliser or work compost into the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning and harvest.\u003c\/strong\u003e Harvest often by picking stems, which keeps the clump bushy. Lemon balm self seeds freely, so cut the flower stalks before they set seed if you want to keep it where you planted it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Lemzest Lemon Balm in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Stock comes from Ozbreed's licensed growers and is grown to order at times, so a size can show as backorder. Order it and we confirm timing with you before anything ships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eEdible plants and bush tucker\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fragrant-plants\"\u003eMore fragrant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/growing-a-successful-fruit-and-vegetable-garden\"\u003eGrowing a successful fruit and vegetable garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ozbreed\"\u003eSee the full Ozbreed range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is lemon balm used for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMostly as a fresh herb. Use the leaves for tea, in cold drinks, in salads and soups, and with chicken, pork and fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it spread?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can self seed, so cut off the flower stalks before the seed sets if you want to keep it tidy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in shade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It does well in full sun to part shade, and prefers light to moderate shade in hot summers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10) (Backorder)","offer_id":67789648855359,"sku":"MEL-OFF-140MM-P10","price":222.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/lemzest-lemon-balm-melissa-officinalis.jpg?v=1792193230","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/lemzest-lemon-balm-melissa-officinalis","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}