Silverleaf Mountain-mint Pycnanthemum incanum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- pik-NAN-thee-mum in-KAN-num
- Description
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Hoary mountain mint is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native in the eastern United States to Indiana. The species epithet is Latin for “gray” and refers to the color of the foliage.
It is an erect, many-branched perennial that typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall on square stems in full sun to partial shade. It is drought tolerant and grows well even in dry soils. However, it prefers moist soil with good drainage. It roots by stems and self seeds easily, naturalizing in a landscape, so be aware of its weedy tendencies. This plant will need a space 2 to 4 feet wide with the possibility of height up to 6 feet.
Hoary mountain mint can be used to help stop erosion and provides nectar for pollinators. This plant is attractive to butterflies and other insects, and is highly deer resistant.
Hoary mountain mint may grow tall and is best suited for naturalized or woodland areas. It also works well in butterfly, edible, native and pollinator gardens.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Plant is weedy.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pycnanthemum
- Species:
- incanum
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The leaves can be used in herbal teas.
- 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
