Pycnanthemum pilosum
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Tried and True Recommended by 1 Professional
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: American mountain mint
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Native Range: Eastern and central United States
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden, Suzanne Stagg Wright Rock Garden
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Fragrant
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Drought
Uses: Erosion Control, Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best flowering is in full sun. This plant is a vigorous grower that may spread by rhizomes in optimum conditions. If naturalizing is unwanted, prune roots in spring with a spade to keep clumps from spreading.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Hairy mountain mint is a clump-forming perennial that typically grows 1-3’ tall. It is native from Ontario to Michigan to Iowa south to Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma. In Missouri, this Pycnanthemum is indigenous to prairies, open dry and upland woodlands, thickets and along railroads throughout most of the state except the lowland southeastern counties (Steyermark). Features small, two-lipped, white (sometimes lavender-tinged) flowers with purple spotting in mid to late summer. Flowers appear in both terminal and axillary clusters (to 1.5” wide). Leaves (to 3” long) are narrow (3/4” wide) and noted for being very aromatic when bruised. In comparison to other Pycnanthemums, its leaves are broader and short-stalked. Pycnanthemum in Greek means dense (pyknos) flower (anthemon). Flower clusters are attractive to bees.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Plants can spread.

Garden Uses

Best when allowed to naturalize in native plant gardens, dry meadows or herb gardens. May be planted in border perimeters as long as spread is monitored, but most gardeners do not consider this plant to have sufficient ornamental merit for a prominent position in the garden.

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