Moutain mint Pycnanthemum pycnanthemoides
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Koellia pycnanthemodes
- Pycnanthemum incanum ssp. pycnanthemoides
- Pycnanthemum incanum var. tullia
- Pycnanthemum tullia
- Tullia pycnanthemoides
- Phonetic Spelling
- pik-NAN-thee-mum pik-nan-thee-MOY-deez
- Description
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Mountain Mint is a native wildflower and herb that attracts many bees and butterflies with its wonderful minty smell and abundant nectar. Its native habitat is dry to wet thin woodlands, thickets and meadows. The densely packed heads have many small flowers that bloom from about June to August. It grows 3- 6 feet tall and about 2 feet wide.
Mountain Mint is easy to grow in average to dry soils in full sun to partial shade. Use in a pollinator garden or naturalized area.
- 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:
- pycnanthemoides
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. U.S.A. to Illinois
- Distribution:
- AL , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , MD , NC , OH , SC , TN , VA , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Flowers attract butterflies, bees, and pollinators. This plant--more especially, the seeds-- also attracts birds.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 6 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- 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:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Brown seeds have hairs and are in an oblong shape.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tightly packed flowerheads on terminal branches have many small flowers that are irregular in shape and up to 3/10 of an inch. Each tiny flower is white, sometimes lilac with purple spots. Blooms June to August.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- White
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- The whitish-green oval to lance-shaped leaves are lightly toothed with hairy undersides
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Downy green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
