Hairy Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Pycnanthemum pilosum
- Phonetic Spelling
- pik-NAN-thee-mum ver-ti-sil-LAY-tum variety py-LOH-sum
- Description
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American mountain mint or hairy mountain mint is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Its common names are derived from the mint fragrance emitted from the leaves.
It is native to the middle United States, where its natural habitat includes rocky slopes, outcrops, along railroad tracks, open woods, stream valleys and thickets. Grow in full sun to part shade with protection from hot summer sun.
Has very densely hairy leaves and stems, giving it a fuzzy texture. The leaves will emit its minty fragrance when brushed against or crushed. When dried, it makes an excellent potpourri.
Its spreading by rhizomes can be kept in bay by cutting back the roots in the spring.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The leaves may suffer from rust stress occurs from transplanting or adverse weather conditions.
- 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:
- verticillatum
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern USA
- Distribution:
- AR, CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, TN, VT, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Many varieties of bees are attracted to the flowers. Host plant for a stink bug. Butterflies also frequent the blooms. Birds eat its seeds.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Larval Host
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- 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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Egg shaped nutlets, each containing one seed. Lightly haired.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The small, two-lipped flower's corolla is white and dotted with small purple spots. The flat-topped flowers sit at the top of the stems.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The upper leaf surface is a gray-green with short hairs, while the underside is lighter in color and more hairy. Leaves have 4 to 7 pairs of lateral veins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The many-branched stems are light green with abundant hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Poor Soil
