Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)
Height: 3 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Clusters of white flowers
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Attracts: Pollinators
Mint Family
Mountain mint, also referred to as Blunt or Clustered Mountain Mint, is a summer bloomer in the mint family. It has an upright branching growth habit, growing 2 to 3 feet high with a spread of 2 feet and is an excellent choice for the back or middle of a planting. Silvery green oval shaped leaves with pointy tips leaves provide color and contrast in the garden.
Naturally, Mountain Mint is found growing in thickets and woodland areas in part shade to full sun. It thrives in moist to medium well-drained soils. This mint can tolerate moist soils along pond and stream edges, although the plant will suffer if the roots remain waterlogged for extended periods.
As part of the mint family, this mint emits a strong smell of spearmint when rubbed. As with other members of the mint family, Clustered Mountain mint has a tendency to ramble and colonize by way of its rhizomatic roots. However, it is much more well-behaved than typical garden mint, and easier to keep in check.
Pollinators and an extensive list of beneficial insects are highly attracted to this plant. In the 2013 Penn State Extension Service Pollinator Trial, Clustered Mountain mint was among the top plants for pollinator diversity, flowering longevity, and number of insect visitors (with a whopping 78 insects visiting the plant within a two-minute timeframe!).
The Xerces Society has identified this plant as having special value to beneficial insects, including native bees, bumble bees, honey bees, and as a plant that supports biological control by attracting predatory or parasitoid insects that prey on pests.
Deer, rabbits and other herbivores find the plant unpalatable and generally leave it alone. ■
