The beautiful green leaves are strongly lemon flavored, and the smell is delicious. I admit that sometimes I just stand in my garden, pick these leaves, inhale deeply, and then eat them. I use these leaves fresh and dried to make stevia lemon balm "lemonade" with no sugar and no lemons! Recipe in the back of my "Trouble's On The Menu" book. This herb is perennial with protection in bitter temperatures. Botanical name: Melissa officinalis. Perennial. HOW TO GROW: Plant seeds quarter-inch deep in spring. Keep moist until germination, in about 7 days. Harvest the leaves at any time. Cover the plant with a cloche for the first winter. Thereafter the plant will overwinter on its own. 40 heirloom, chemical-free seeds per pack. Free shipping on orders over $34.