Mountain mint, particularly Pycnanthemum muticum, is a must have for any backyard. I’d rank it among the many high suggestions. Earlier than shifting to Maine, I’d heard of mountain mint however hadn’t given it a lot thought. Somebody described it as weedy and floppy, so I ignored it. Now, I remorse not making an attempt it sooner.
On this age when increasingly gardeners of all ranges are in search of good native vegetation, right here is an herbaceous perennial native to a lot of the jap US states, together with Texas. It may well tolerate periodic drought, is comparatively pest resistant (together with deer!), and pollinators love the flowers. On high of the entire good qualities of Pycnanthemum, the leaves even have an exquisite odor like peppermint oil.
The leaves include the important oil pulegone, which might act as an insect repellant. When you rub mountain mint in your pores and skin, the pulegone oil from the leaves will help deter mosquitoes (and make you odor contemporary!).
Mountain mint is used as a mild-flavored tea, and the leaves and buds are edible – usually eaten in salads. I haven’t tried cooking or consuming mountain mint myself – but – I wish to examine them to common mint (mentha varieties) – I’ll report again.
About Pycnanthemum muticum
Mountain mint has engaging, pointed leaves, and whereas the pink tubular flowers could also be extraordinarily small, their silvery bracts are lovely when the vegetation are massed. Pycnanthemum muticum goes by the widespread title of clustered mountain mint as a result of it’s clump-forming, and it’ll unfold underground (you’ll need to trim new shoots again within the spring to regulate its unfold).
In Maine, we are able to plant our mountain mint within the full solar, however as you progress southward, you in all probability wish to give the vegetation extra shade. Pycnanthemum can survive many various soil sorts however will do finest in well-drained soils that keep reasonably moist. In case your soils are wealthy, unfastened, and moist, and never clay (i.e., good gardening soil), you undoubtedly wish to give Pycnanthemum muticum some room to run. The plant will unfold, as soon as established, by way of stolons that emanate from the principle clump.
Mountain mint grows finest in USDA hardiness zones 4-8, and once more, I’d advocate that you just present a bit extra shade and moisture the upper the variety of your hardiness zone.
As you start to edit your backyard this fall and take into consideration modifications for subsequent 12 months, you should definitely take into account including mountain mint, as it’s a fantastic native with a good looking look and is nice at attracting a variety of bugs to our pollinator backyard, together with our native butterflies.
– Rodney
Including Mountian Mint – Plugs, Crops or Seed?
Nurseries like Prairie Moon and others are sometimes promoting varied vegetation from the pycnanthemum household by seed (shopping for a seed packet is the most economical means to develop them and it’s how I intend to get began with this plant) in addition to plugs and small tray cells.
It is usually price noting that Mountain mint – a local plant – will not be the identical because the peppermint and spearmint herbs which can be usually reviled for taking on a backyard. Mentha vegetation (spearmint, peppermint, orange mint, lemon balm and so on) are very aggressive and troublesome to handle as soon as they get a maintain in a backyard. Mountain Mint will not be so aggressive.
Types of Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum)
Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum) is a genus of flowering vegetation within the mint household (Lamiaceae) that features a number of species generally grown for his or her fragrant foliage and engaging flowers. Some in style species of mountain mint embrace:
- Pycnanthemum muticum (Brief-toothed Mountain Mint):
- This species is native to jap North America and is thought for its sq. stems, lance-shaped leaves, and clusters of small, white to pale lavender flowers. It blooms from mid to late summer season and attracts quite a lot of pollinators, together with bees, butterflies, and useful bugs.
- Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Slender Mountain Mint):
- Slender mountain mint is native to jap and central North America and is valued for its slender, fragrant foliage and clusters of tiny, white flowers. It blooms from mid to late summer season and is a favourite of pollinators and wildlife.
- Pycnanthemum virginianum (Virginia Mountain Mint):
- Virginia mountain mint is native to jap North America and is characterised by its slender, lance-shaped leaves and clusters of small, white flowers with purple spots. It blooms from mid to late summer season and is in style for its minty perfume and wildlife-attracting properties.
- Pycnanthemum flexuosum (Appalachian Mountain Mint):
- This species is native to the Appalachian area of jap North America. It’s prized for its fragrant foliage and showy clusters of white flowers. It blooms from mid to late summer season and is a helpful supply of nectar for bees, butterflies, and different pollinators.
- Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum (Furry Mountain Mint):
- Identified for its dense, bushy foliage and whorls of small, white flowers, this number of mountain mint provides texture and perfume.
- Pycnanthemum incanum (Hoary Mountain Mint):
- Probably the most drought-tolerant of the mountain mints. Pycnanthemum incanum options silvery foliage and clusters of pale lavender flowers, thriving even in dry, difficult circumstances.
- Pycnanthemum californicum (Sierra Mint):
- Native to the Sierra Nevada mountains, this species of mountain mint boasts fragrant foliage and clusters of tiny white flowers. It attracts pollinators and provides a contact of California magnificence to the backyard panorama.
These are only a few examples of in style species of mountain mint generally grown in gardens and landscapes. Every species gives distinctive traits and rising necessities, however all are valued for his or her magnificence, perfume, and wildlife-friendly qualities.
Companion vegetation for Pycnanthemum muticum (Brief-toothed Mountain Mint):
Pycnanthemum muticum (Brief-toothed Mountain Mint) is a superb plant for naturalistic planting schemes. It is usually a very good selection for gardeners who’re making an attempt so as to add extra native vegetation to their gardens to assist hold maintain a wealthy biodiversity and a thriving inhabitants of pollinators and bugs. It blends nicely with different natives and naturalistic vegetation and also you see it used usually – sometimes as a hanging foliage accent – in each wilder schemes and extremely tended gardens.
- Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower):
- Purple coneflower is a local perennial with showy, daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white. It blooms from midsummer to early fall and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it an ideal companion for Pycnanthemum muticum.
- Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot):
- Wild bergamot is a local perennial recognized for its fragrant foliage and clusters of lavender-pink flowers. It blooms from mid to late summer season and is very engaging to pollinators, together with bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed):
- Butterfly weed is a local perennial with vibrant orange flowers that bloom in summer season. It’s a favourite nectar supply for butterflies and different pollinators and provides shiny colour and vertical curiosity to the backyard, complementing the ethereal look of Pycnanthemum muticum.
- Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop):
- Anise hyssop is a perennial herb with fragrant leaves and spikes of lavender-blue flowers. It blooms from midsummer to early fall and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the backyard. Its upright development behavior and aromatic foliage make it a superb companion for mountain mint.
- Solidago spp. (Goldenrod):
- Goldenrod is a local perennial with shiny yellow flower spikes that bloom in late summer season and fall. It’s extremely engaging to pollinators and provides vertical curiosity and late-season colour to the backyard, complementing the blooms of Pycnanthemum muticum.
Extra Native Crops and posts that characteristic Mint.