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Whorled Mountainmint Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum

Previously known as:

  • Pycnanthemum pilosum
Phonetic Spelling
pik-NAN-thee-mum ver-ti-sil-LAY-tum variety py-LOH-sum
Description

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:
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#wasps#wetlands#erosion control#herbaceous#deer resistant#bushy#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#naturalizes#hairy leaves#cutting garden#naturalized area#dried arrangements#poor soils tolerant#hairy stems#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#fly friendly#butterfly friendly#beetle friendly#bee friendly#moth friendly#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#wasps#wetlands#erosion control#herbaceous#deer resistant#bushy#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#naturalizes#hairy leaves#cutting garden#naturalized area#dried arrangements#poor soils tolerant#hairy stems#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#fly friendly#butterfly friendly#beetle friendly#bee friendly#moth friendly#hs303
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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