Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum virginianum

Mountain Mint is a branching, herbaceous, flowering perennial in the Lamiaceae family that grows to 3 feet high with a bushy habit. The stems are green or red with small, 1/2 inch leaves that emit a strong mint scent when crushed. Numerous white flowers with purple dots blossom in sequence at the end of the upper stems in mid-summer, beginning with the outer circle of flowers and moving toward the center. Mountain Mint is probably misnamed, because it does not usually occur in mountainous habitats. The genus name comes from Greek pyknos meaning dense and anthos meaning flower. The species name means "of Virginia".

Mountain Mint prefers full or partial sun and moist to average soil. It will tolerate most soils: loam, sand, clay, or gravel. During drought, the lower leaves can yellow and fall off. The plant will add interest to an herb garden, border, naturalized area or meadow and can also be grown in open areas near ponds and streams.

The root system produces rhizomes, which spread a short distance from the mother plant forming a small colony of plants. It can be aggressive in optimum sites, but less so when the soil is kept dry. Insects are strongly attracted to the flowers, including various bees, wasps, flies, small butterflies, and beetles; however, mammals and and leaf-chewing insects seem to find the mint fragrance of the leaves and stems repugnant, and rarely bother this plant.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is less subject to foliar disease than some other mints, such as Monarda spp. However, stressed plants can succumb to rust.

More information on Pycnanthemum.