Browne’s Savory

Micromeria brownei

Browne’s Savory is now Clinopodium brownei. This is a creeping mint that grows to three inches tall in wet soil and gives off a delightful pepperminty fragrance when walked on. In the aquarium trade it is called Creeping Charlie. Just tie a small weight to the base of several cuttings and let them sink to the bottom of the tank.

Plant in wet soil to cover the area; some weeding may be needed. It is found throughout Florida and the Southeast and makes a great tea either raw or dried and steeped. Adjust the dose to your liking. There is mention that pregnant women should avoid this.

The light green round leaves are half an inch across and the lavender flowers are of similar size. Although sparse, they make a nice effect when in mass.

Plants with similar growth in wet soil include: Water Hyssop, Fog Fruit, Swamp Twinflower (Click for more info) and Sunshine Mimosa.

Taller plants to mix in include: Yellow Canna, Prairie Iris, Florida Lily, American Crinum Lily, Duck Potato, Tickseed, Swamp and Marsh Ferns and Salt Marsh Mallow.

If you have a wet ditch, just fill it with these plants and enjoy the beauty. I did this in my front swale and it has looked great for years with only occasional weeding.

The best thing to do is plant some were it will grow out onto a pathway for people to step on and release the minty fragrance.

A depression lined with rubber and fed from the AC drain makes an easy bog planting. Water may be required only during the winter months when the AC is off.

Salt water and drought are not tolerated, but flooding for days will not bother it at all. So don’t fill the wet areas of your yard with sand, withstand the urge and plant Browne’s savory instead.

Lots of great images, click here.