(70 days. Melissa officinalis) The medieval Frankish king, Charlemagne, had lemon balm planted in every monastery garden for the beauty of its crinkled and wonderfully fragrant foliage and pretty white flowers. Used by herbalists for insomnia and to sooth upset stomach; rub on insect bites to relieve pain and itching; add to tea, use as a cooking herb to impart lemony flavor, or enjoy its aromatherapeutic qualities in a relaxing bath. A good container variety. Perennial.