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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Pycnanthemum incanum Pycnanthemum incanum
Verbena canadensis Verbena canadensis
Baptisia alba Baptisia alba

Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Mountain Mint:

Phonetic Spelling
pik-NAN-thee-mum ten-yoo-ih-FOH-lee-um
Description

Mountain Mint is a native perennial wildflower found in dry meadows, fields, thickets, open woods, upland prairies, along roadsides as well as fast-draining Post Oak woods and pine barrens.  Its clumping form is stiff, erect, and compact.  Typically growing to a height of 2', it can grow larger, up to 4'.  It will begin blooming when the plant reaches a width of approximately 1' wide.  All parts of the plant have a minty aroma when crushed.

The flowers are clusters of many small, two-lipped corollas ranging from whitish to lavender with purple spots.

This plant is good for naturalizing or in a rain garden.  It can spread aggressively, so it benefits from having space or being cut back as needed.

The dried leaves are used in making teas. Rub the leaves on your skin to serve as a mosquito repellent.  

Attracts native bees, bumblebees and honey bees.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues.

 

More information on Pycnanthemum.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#fall flowers#white flowers#easy to grow#pink flowers#fragrant leaves#native perennial#ncemgva2018#NC native#summer flowers#thickets#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#native wildflower#naturalized area#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#pollinator garden#audubon#erosion tolerant#shallow soil tolerant
 
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Delta Flower Scarab on Pycnanthemum tenuifolium bloom Suzanne Caldwell CC BY-NC 2.0
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Form Cyndy Sims Parr CC-BY-SA 2.0
Delta Flower Scarab on Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Flower buds Dan Mullen CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Flowers and leaves Debbie Roos
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#fall flowers#white flowers#easy to grow#pink flowers#fragrant leaves#native perennial#ncemgva2018#NC native#summer flowers#thickets#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#native wildflower#naturalized area#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#pollinator garden#audubon#erosion tolerant#shallow soil tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pycnanthemum
    Species:
    tenuifolium
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Leaf Cutting
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA MA, MD ME MI, MN, MO. MS, NC, NE NH, NJ, NY OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators including native sweat bees.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    The dried leaves and flowers are used for making teas and flavorings.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
  • 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.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small whitish flowers with a touch of pink in numerous rounded cymes; two lips with lower lip having three lobes. Blooms from June to August.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Good Dried
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Acicular
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    1" to 2" narrow (almost needle like), opposite leaves that are fragrant.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    Square multi-stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Riparian
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Edible Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Problems:
    Weedy