Strongly aromatic peppermint can be used in both cooking – in drinks, salads, and baked goods – and in potpourri and other fragrant decorative items. This perennial grows to 3 feet tall and spreads rapidly. The 3 inch smooth, lance-shaped, toothed leaves are tinged with purple around the edges. Oblong terminal spikes of lilac-pink flowers appear all summer. Like other mints, peppermint is extremely easy to grow. In fact, it grows so well, it is best to confine it to containers. Grow in almost any soil conditions in sun or part shade, harvesting leaves all season long.