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Narrow-leafed Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

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

Mountain mint is a native, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Its region of origin is from eastern Canada to central and eastern United States. Mountain mint is found growing in dry meadows, fields, thickets, open woods, upland prairies, and along roadsides. The species epithet is Latin for “narrow leaf” and describes the distinctively linear leaves of this species. 

This plant grows in full to partial sun in all types of soil. It prefers acidic soil (pH < 6.0) with good drainage. It can tolerate occasional dry or wet conditions. Mountain mint grows in a clumping form that is stiff, erect and compact to a height of 2 feet, but it can grow up to 4 feet. Planting space requirement is 1 to 3 feet. 

The flowers are clusters of many small, two-lipped corollas ranging from whitish to lavender with purple spots. Blooms start when the plant reaches a width of approximately 1 foot wide, and they attract native bees, bumblebees and honey bees.  All parts of the plant have a minty aroma when crushed. Rubbing the leaves on the skin has been used as a mosquito repellent. The dried leaves and flowers may be used in making teas and flavorings. 

This plant was selected as the 2019 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

This plant naturalizes easily and can be used in a rain, pollinator, sensory or edible garden. It may also be grown in meadows and woodlands, near ponds, or on slopes and river banks. It can spread rapidly so it benefits from being confined by hardscape elements in the landscape.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems.  

 

 

More information on Pycnanthemum.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Extension Master Gardenerâ„  Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#drought tolerant#fall flowers#white flowers#easy to grow#pink flowers#fragrant leaves#erosion control#ncemgva2018#fast growing#NC native#summer flowers#thickets#herbaceous perennial#naturalizes#pollinator plant#edible leaves#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#sensory garden#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#Audubon#shallow soil tolerant#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#NC Wildflower of the Year#wildlife friendly#th-smell#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#drought tolerant#fall flowers#white flowers#easy to grow#pink flowers#fragrant leaves#erosion control#ncemgva2018#fast growing#NC native#summer flowers#thickets#herbaceous perennial#naturalizes#pollinator plant#edible leaves#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#sensory garden#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#Audubon#shallow soil tolerant#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#NC Wildflower of the Year#wildlife friendly#th-smell#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pycnanthemum
    Species:
    tenuifolium
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Rubbing the leaves skin has been used as a mosquito repellent.
    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 supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. 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. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    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, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • 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