Meet the Mountain Mint

Mountain Mint | Pycnanthemum muticum

How do you know it’s me?:

• I am an herbaceous perennial, with a bushy, upright form.

• I have opposite, pointed-oval to heart-shaped leaves. My topmost leaves especially have a dusty, blue-green look.

• My leaves have a minty fragrance when crushed.

• My flowers are not particularly showy. They bloom on disc-shaped structures at the ends of my stems. Each tiny flower is trumpet-shaped, often with purple spots.

• I have square stems.

How big do I grow?: 2’ - 4’ height and 2’ - 3’ spread.

Sun-seeker or shade-lover: Full sun to part shade.

Where I prefer to put my roots: Moist, well-drained soils. I am tolerant of occasionally wet soils.

Hardiness: Zone 4-8

Original home: I am native to eastern Canada and the eastern US.

Colors: White or pink flowers.

When I bloom: Summer.

Wildlife friends: Pollinators LOVE me…once I flower, I’m covered in bees and butterflies. I am also the larval host for one moth species.

Flora Fun Facts: One Penn State study found that I can attract up to almost 80 distinct insect species (bees, butterflies, wasps, etc.), and was the most attractive plant to pollinators of the 86 species tested.

More Info: This favorite of bees and butterflies is a fast grower and long-bloomer. And will be buzzing from bee activity through the summer months. Its unique silvery color offers a nice contrast to other bright summer blooms.

• A member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family.

• Also goes by the old timey name of “Dirty Dishwater” due to the powdery leaf appearance.

• A fast grower and spreader, this plant is a great selection for a pollinator garden, meadow planting, herb garden, or rain garden. It spreads by rhizomes, but is not as aggressive as many other mint species.

• The leaves and flowers of this plant may be steeped to make a mild, minty tea.

• Its minty scent and flavor tends to deter browsing from deer and rabbits.