Pycnanthemum is a genus of plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Koellia Moench. Rust may occur. Flowers are attractive to butterflies and bees. When planted in groups or massed, the silvery bracts give the entire planting the appearance of being dusted by a white powdery snow. Pycnanthemum muticum, Clustered Mountain Mint is a clump forming, aromatic perennial that naturally occurs in most of the Eastern half of the United States. Pycnanthemum muticum (Michx.) Pycnanthemum muticum broad leaf mountain mint A wonderful mountain mint for the meadow garden, this hugely pollinator-friendly plant has an inconspicuous flower, but emanates a gentle minty aroma and offers lovely contrast with its silvery bracts and blueish leaves. The scent makes the plants unpalatable to deer but attractive to people. Muticum is Latin for blunt, referring to the flat bracts at the tops of each stem. Name:   Pycnanthemum muticum aka clustered mountain mint. Pycnanthes Raf. Mountain mint grows in clumps up to about two to three feet (0.6 to 1 m.) tall. It has special value to native, bumble, and honey bees, and supports conservation biological control by attracting beneficial insects to the garden. Branched stems (mostly square in cross section) are clad with nearly sessile, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, acuminate (pointed), dark green leaves (to 2 1/4" long) with round to heart-shaped bases and toothed margins. It grows densely with dark green leaves that have a strong spearmint aroma. It is not a drought-tolerant perennial. Clustered mountain mint is a spreading perennial that is good for pollinator and butterfly gardens. If naturalizing is unwanted, prune roots in spring with a spade to keep clumps from spreading. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. Mountain mint, a group of about 20 plants in the Pycnanthemum genus, is native to the southeastern U.S. Short-toothed Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) has a native ranges as far north as Maine, south to Georgia, with a western range into eastern Texas. The leaves emit a strong spearmint fragrance when crushed. Why I Love/Hate this plant This perennial is commonly sold as a native plant for pollinators, and I love the fact that bees, wasps and other insects benefit from the flowers. Clustered mountainmint (Pycnanthemum muticum) is a North American native and a total pollinator magnet, particularly when massed together in a sunny spot. This plant attracts many types of bees, wasps, flies and other pollinators.Â. Easily grown in fertile, moist to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Both of these will establish quickly, flowering the same year. It is native to Eastern North America (Maine to Michigan to Illinois and Missouri south to Florida and Texas) where it typically grows in grassy open places, meadows, fields, low woodland areas and occasionally in dry upland woods, but not in alpine areas as somewhat inaccurately suggested by its common name. can fit in any style of garden. The silver bracts are best seen from above. In Missouri, it is only found in the far southeastern corner of the State. Today, the common name mountain mint is used for more than 20 native species of the genus Pycnanthemum (which means "many clustered flowers"). Pycnanthemum muticum is a variety of mountain mint with broad, silvery, fragrant leaves, pink flowers and a compact habit. We provide Short-Tooth Mountain Mint both in Quart SuperPlugs and RootMaker 32 Plugs. Blunt mountain mint is also native to all counties in Illinois, and really doesn’t grow in the mountains, so the common name is something of a mystery. Tullia Leavenw. A Word to the Wise:   There are many plants that are commonly called mountain mint, so if youâre shopping for this one, be sure to copy the botanic name. Know too that this plant spreads. Mountain Mint - Pycnanthemum muticum. With dainty white blooms, a clumping habit and tons of genera to choose from, mountain mints (Pycnanthemum sp.) This plant has no children. The larvae live in the ground, are carnivores and feed on what else – crickets. It is beautiful naturalized near the … Common names are from state and federal lists. Mountain mint, genus Pycnanthemum, is a member of the mint family, but does not share the invasive tendency of the true mints. Pycnanthemum means "densely flowered," an attribute that enables Mountain Mint to accommodate many pollinators at once. mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) and threadleaf milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) in addition to other flowers. Type of Plant: Spreading perennial that is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and appreciates moist or at least consistently watered soil in full sun to part shade. Pycnanthemum muticum (blunt mountain mint) serves as a tremendous draw for pollinators and brings a coarse vertical structure as well as a spearmint-link aroma to the winter garden. Home › Mountain Mint, Clustered (Pycnanthemum muticum). Pycnanthemum muticum / Broad-leaved Mountain Mint $ 8.00. Brachystemum Michx. Pycnanthemum muticum, commonly called mountain mint or short-toothed mountain mint or clustered mountain mint, is a clump-forming aromatic perennial that typically grows 1-3â tall. Subordinate Taxa. Adult wasps are frequently seen actively foraging on the ground of fields, meadows, lawns, and garden beds for … Plants are less drought tolerant than most of the other species of Pycnanthemum. P. tenuifolium, P. virginiana, P. flexuosum, and P. muticum are the species most often available for purchase at FloraKansas. Summer flowers with underlying silver bracts are ornamentally attractive, particularly when grouped or massed. Border perimeters. About 20 species of mountain mints are described in the southeastern states. Type of Plant:   Spreading perennial that is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and appreciates moist or at least consistently watered soil in full sun to part shade. It is an excellent, attractive colonizing plant at woodland's edge and a truly great butterfly plant. Looking for a native plant that attracts bees and is even pretty to cut for bouquets? They are commonly known as mountain mints (or mountain-mints, mountainmints ), though "the mountain mint" may also be any locally common species in particular. Pers. Plant foliage is topped in mid to late summer by a bloom of two-lipped tubular pink flowers (each to 1/2" wide) in dense flat-topped terminal (sometimes axillary) clusters, with each cluster being subtended and highlighted by a pair of unique and showy silvery fringeless leaf-like bracts located near the base of the cluster. Pycnanthemum muticum ‘Mountain Mint’ Yield (stems/plant)¹ Stem Length (inches)¹ Market Appreciation Rating² Repeat Again Rating² Ease of Cultivation Rating² Average Spacing (in 2) Wholesale Retail Consumer; Average: 100: 11.8: 37.3: 2.5: 4.0: 3.5: 3.7: 4.7: Range of Responses: 100-0: 8-18: 30-42: 1-4: 4-0: 3-4: 2-5: 4-5 Pycnanthemum muticum, or Showy Mountain Mint, is a 3 foot, clump-forming perennial with white to violet blooms and silvery, blue-green leaves appearing in mid to late summer.Showy Mountain Mint prefers moist soils in part to full sun. Aromatic leaves are grayer near the white flowers which are sometimes flushed with baby pink. Showy Mountain Mint has aromatic foliage and is spread by underground rhizomes. Mountain Mint, Clustered (Pycnanthemum muticum) $7 00 $7.00 mountain mint, pollinator plants, perennials for bees, plants for fields, post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-21386,single-format-standard,bridge-core-2.6.6,et_monarch,qode-page-transition-enabled,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode-theme-ver-25.1,qode-theme-bridge,disabled_footer_top,qode_header_in_grid,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-6.6.0,vc_responsive, Garden Groups – In Person or Virtual, Zoom Presentations, Horticultural and Green Industry Trade Talks, General Presentations ~ Zoom or In Person. This mint relative bears oval toothed leaves on strong square stems. Mountain mints are well adapted to our state’s growing conditions, as there are approximately 11 species of mountain mints (Pycnanthemum species) in South Carolina. Leaves can be used to make mild tea. The plants tolerate clay, heat, and drought. Name: Pycnanthemum muticum aka clustered mountain mint. Performs well in bright shade, but best flowering often occurs in full sun. Easily grown in rich, regular to moist, well-drained soils, it spreads to make pleasing clumps but is not invasive. – clustered mountainmint. Legal Status. In Missouri, i… Also known as Clustered Mountain Mint, Pycnanthemum muticum is a top notch pollinator plant with compact growth and silvery bracts. Pycnanthemum muticum aka clustered mountain mint. This mint relative bears oval toothed leaves on strong square stems. Slower spreaders available at nurseries include narrow-leaved mountain mint (P. tenuifolium) and Virginia mountain mint … They are perennials and bloom from about July through September. Attracted Pollinators: Butterflies and Bees. The genus name, Pycnanthemum, means densely flowered, hinting at the reason that these plants can accommodate so many hungry visitors simultaneously. A mountain mint with a pleasing minty aroma. Growing Conditions: - Light Exposure: full sun to partial shade - Water Use: Moderate - Soil: neutral pH, moderately moist, drought tolerant, fertile and nutrient rich. Butterfly gardens. This plant is a vigorous grower that may spread by rhizomes in optimum conditions, but it is not invasive as are many of the true mints (Mentha). Size: 12-36” high; 12-36” spread. The leaves surrounding the flower clusters are highlighted with silver. The flowers produce copious nectar, attracting a wide variety of butterflies and other insects. In summer, plants are topped by dense rounded clusters of tiny white to lavender tubular flowers. The flowers are a great attractor of pollinators. Plant this one in field-style pollinator gardens where it can duke it out with other strong perennials. Also called blunt mountain mint, this species is listed as threatened in Kentucky, Michigan, and New York. It can be difficult to separate from whorled mountain-mint except on the basis of leaf blade shape. A great spreader, clustered mountain mint (P. muticum) is easy to thin and share with friends. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Pycnanthemum muticum is an aromatic perennial wildflower. A cloud of dense green leaves dusted with powdered sugar, or so it seems, for this spearmint scented mint family member develops during summer, a multitude of silvery-white bracts that surround the tiny clusters of pink flowers. Click on a place name to get a complete protected plant list for that location. Mountain mint plants are underused in the landscape. The leaves of clustered mountain-mint have a pronounced mint odor. Many people grow short-toothed mountain mint (P. muticum), also known as clustered mountain mint, for use as an insect repellent. There are several species of Mountain Mints, but my favorites are Short-toothed Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) and Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum). Known as “short-toothed mountain mint” for the small teeth on its broad, attractive foliage which takes on a frosted look. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Why I Love/Hate this plant  This perennial is commonly sold as a native plant for pollinators, and I love the fact that bees, wasps and other insects benefit from the flowers. Itâs also an extremely pretty plant, with dark green leaves and stems that are topped with flat, silver bracts that frame the small, pinkish-white flowers. Most occur naturally in the Piedmont and mountainous sections, but four species are indigenous to the coastal plains. - Lurie Garden Mountain Mint is loaded with pulegone, the same insect repellent found in pennyroyal. Plant Mountain Mint 24 inches apart in drifts of 5 to 7 for best effect; the plants combine with Shenandoah and Northwind Switch Grass very well. Description. Easy to grow in almost any average to fertile, well-drained soil, it does best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Pycnanthemum flexuosum is an aromatic perennial wildflower. It is commonly found in woodland areas and thickets and it prefers moist to medium well-drained soil. Propagate by seed or division. They belong to the mint family and when the foliage is crushed share the distinctive aroma of that group. CHECK AVAILABILITY. Pycnanthemum muticum, commonly called mountain mint or short-toothed mountain mint or clustered mountain mint, is a clump-forming aromatic perennial that typically grows 1-3 tall. No serious insect or disease problems. These include Virginia, thinleaf, Appalachian and Sierra mountain mints, to name just a few. Small cream-colored flowers are surrounded by silvery modified leaves, or bracts Threatened and Endangered Information: This plant is listed by the U.S. federal government or a state. Mountain mints, genus Pycnanthemum for example, are great plants for really tough growing conditions, but given a rich flower border they will try to take over. Native Americans used this plant for treatment of fevers, colds, stomach aches, and other minor physical ailments.Genus name comes from Greek pyknos meaning dense and anthos meaning flower for its densely packed flowers.Specific epithet comes from the Latin word muticus meaning blunt. In summer, plants are topped by dense frizzy ball-like clusters of tiny white to lavender tubular flowers. It is native to Eastern North America (Maine to Michigan to Illinois and Missouri south to Florida and Texas) where it typically grows in grassy open places, meadows, fields, low woodland areas and occasionally in dry upland woods, but not in alpine areas as somewhat inaccurately suggested by its common name. Itâs not as aggressive as many mints, but itâs definitely too enthusiastic for the average perennial garden. All of the mountain mints have a strong mint scent and are commonly used to make tea (all except Pycnanthemum muticum, which although minty is also toxic). The long bloom time, a month or more in July and August, is another reason Mountain Mint is a great choice for those interested in feeding pollinators. Its compact growth, broad lustruous leaves, silvery bracts and aromatic flowers … This densely leaved mountain mint features dark green leaves which have a strong mint-like (spearmint) aroma when crushed. Less hairy than other species and much more pungent, short-toothed mountain mint … Herb gardens. Pycnanthemum muticum – This very fine Mountain Mint with gray-green leaves will form a large-scale ground cover. The mint family genus Pycnanthemum is fairly small, containing around 20 species, all of which are native to North America. Duration: Perennial. Description Blunt Mountain Mint is a native perennial in the mint family. Best when allowed to naturalize in native plant gardens, cottage gardens or meadows. Given the right conditions, this plant will spread by rhizomes; if spreading is not desired you can prune the roots in the spring. Plant this where it will get watered regularly.