Pycnanthemum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- pik-NAN-thee-mum
- Description
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Mountain Mints are a group of plants in the mint family that are native to North America and all areas of NC. The leaves have a strong minty fragrance when crushed and can be used in cooking and making teas. The densely packed clusters of flowers come in white to shades of purple and attract many pollinators in July to Sept. Most have pleasing foliage when not in bloom and make a great addition to any pollinator garden. The genus name comes from Greek words meaning "dense flower."
They grow in moist to dry well-drained soils in sun to partial shade with the best flowering occurring in sun. They can spread by rhizomes but are easily control if spreading is not desired. Use in naturalized areas, native/pollinator gardens or edible gardens. Many varieties are available to choose from.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Native Woodland Garden, Durham Beehive Garden, Wake Co
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- P. flexuosum, P. incanum, P. muticum, P. pycnanthemoides, P. tenuifolium, P. virginianum, Pycnanthemum loomisii
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- P. flexuosum, P. incanum, P. muticum, P. pycnanthemoides, P. tenuifolium, P. virginianum, Pycnanthemum loomisii
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pycnanthemum
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used medicinally by Native Americans
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern and central USA
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae.
- Edibility:
- Leaves can be used in cooking and making teas.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Dry capsule that doesn't split open
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tight clusters of tiny 2-lipped flowers surrounded by silvery bracts
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Fragrant leaves vary in shape and size and usually have a whitish bloom.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
