Ohio Horsemint Blephilia ciliata

Ohio Horsemint is a short-lived, but fast growing, herbaceous perennial wildflower native to the central and eastern parts of the United States, although not commonly found in North Carolina. It is typically found growing wild in thin soils over limestone in dry open woods, prairies, savannas, limestone bluffs, glades, barrens, clearings, fields, steep slopes, disturbed sites and roadsides.. The genus name comes from the Greek blepharis meaning an eyelash, which refers to the bracts being fringed by hairs.

Plant it in the full sun to partial shade in well drained loamy or silty, moist to dry soil with a PH of 6 to 8. The soil can contain significant amounts of loam, clay, or gravel. The plant has some drought tolerance, but does not tolerate waterlogged soils or flooding, salt, or soil compaction. The plant forms clumps with limited spread and the roots are fibrous and shallow. The stems give off a mild fragrance when crushed.

The leaves of this wildflower in the mint family can be used in drinks and sauces and the fragrant blue-purple flowers are in blossom from late spring to mid-summer. This plant was selected as the 2022 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

Use this plant in naturalized areas and open woodland gardens.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to powdery mildew. Watch for  aphids, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, and leafminers.