Hoary Mountainmint Pycnanthemum incanum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- pik-NAN-thee-mum in-KAN-num
- Description
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Hoary mountain-mint, so called because of the hoary/white appearance of the upper leaves and bracts beneath its flower clusters, is in the Lamiaceae family. It is an erect, many-branched perennial that typically grows 2-3' tall on square stems like all members of the mint family. It can be used to help stop erosion, it is drought tolerant, and grows well even in dry soils. It roots by stems and self seeds easily, naturalizing in a landscape so be aware of its weedy tendencies.
Hoary Mountainmint is an herbaceous perennial that may grow to 5 feet tall. The stem is densely covered with short white hairs. The leaves are opposite with a toothed margin and white top. White or lilac flowers with purple spots first mature in mid summer and continue into early fall.
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Summer, fall; Fruit/Nut/Seed: Fall
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pycnanthemum
- Species:
- incanum
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern U.S.A. to Indiana
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. This plant provides nectar for pollinators. Flowers are attractive to butterflies, especially smaller species like hairstreaks, and many other insects.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Hoary mountain-mint is highly deer resistant.
- Edibility:
- Leaves and flowers used for tea
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- 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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from September to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Cluster of small, lobed, two-lipped, whitish to lavender flowers with small purple spots; hoary bracts below the flower. Blooms June to August.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Good Dried
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 1.5 to 4 in. egg- to lance-shaped, toothed, opposite, stalked leaves with white down (hoary) below.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Hoary stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Problems:
- Weedy
