Reader's question: MR Clarke from Billingham has emailed me to say that he is confused by all the different mint varieties for sale, and in particular apple mint. He wants to know what apple mint is, and whether it’s just an ornamental flowering plant or whether it can be used like good old-fashioned garden mint in the kitchen.

APPLE mint, sometimes called woolly mint (Mentha suaveolens) is a member of the mint family that originates from the southern Mediterranean region of Europe. It is a herbaceous, upright perennial plant that is most commonly grown as a culinary herb or as a ground cover. Being an attractive herb, apple mint is often used as an ornamental plant as well.

It spreads underground by rhizomes.

It is hardy and easy to grow, preferring full sun to lightly-shady conditions. It has less invasive growing habits than other varieties of mint and will not take over the whole garden. Also known as round-leaved mint, it has wrinkled leaves which are light green in colour and are somewhat hairy on top and downy underneath. They have an apple scent and can grow to a height of two feet. Flowers appear in mid to late summer and are purple-pink in colour.

It has a pleasant, fruity taste and is sweeter than other mints which is probably why it is called “hierbabuena” in most South American countries, literally meaning “good herb”.

Apple mint has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years in many parts of the world including Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It can be boiled in water to make a tea which is refreshing and helps ease a variety of illnesses, including stomach and intestinal problems. It also helps break down fats and increases metabolism. Apple mint is popular because it is “mind soothing” and relaxing. The leaves are said to relieve the pain caused by bee and wasp stings.

Today it is used mainly for culinary purposes and its milder taste makes it ideal for use in fruit salads and fruit cups and punches. Dried apple mint leaves retain their scent and make excellent pot pourri. The leaves can be used to make jelly, as well as a flavouring in dishes.

Jobs this week

■ Fertilise flowering shrubs like rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas immediately after they have finished flowering. Dead-head the developing seed pods from your rhododendrons and azaleas to improve next year’s bloom. Be careful not to damage buds which may be hidden just below the pod.

■ Cut away young shoots of selfclinging climbers such as ivy and hydrangea petiolaris which have become unattached, so strong winds do not peel off any further or older growth from the wall. This is especially helpful in the early years, while the plant is still trying to reach the top of its support.

■ Begin dead-heading plants you do not wish to self-sow. These might include all the double and single opium poppies, and most of the alliums, including chives.

Brigid presents the BBC Tees Gardening show on Sundays from 1pm to 2pm.

Questions can be answered on the day by emailing brigidpress@bbc.co.uk anytime during the week, or texting 07786-200995 and phoning 01642-225511 during the show.