PERENNIAL: Pycnanthemum muticum (Short-toothed/Clustered Mountain-mint)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic

Clustered Mountain-mint* flowers may be unassuming, but their nectar enticed the greatest number and diversity of pollinators out of 86 native species and nativars monitored by Penn State Extension and Master Gardeners over a 3-year period.** Showy, silvery bracts accent the flower clusters and the foliage exudes a strong minty aroma when crushed.

*It is native to DC, uncommon in DE, and found mostly in the MD Peidmont and in southeastern PA. It is infrequent throughout VA, but is native to Fairfax and Loudoun Counties in NoVA. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

**According to Bees, Bugs & Blooms – A pollinator trial. Penn State.

Learn more about Pycnanthemum muticum.

Canescent bracts of native Pycnanthemum muticum

Pycnanthemum muticum (Short-toothed Mountain-mint) with pollinators Apis mellifera (European honey bee) and Vanessa cardui (painted lady) butterfly in July.

Male cuckoo-leaf-cutter bee (Coelioxys) on Pycnanthemum muticum (mountain mint) in July.

Potter wasp (Eumenes fraternus) on Pycnanthemum muticum (mountain mint) in July.

Gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus) butterflies deflect predators with their “false-head” eyespots and thread-like tails that imitate antennae.

Flowers (verticillasters) of native Pycnanthemum muticum (short-toothed mountain mint)

Pycnanthemum muticum in the garden with Hydrangea macrophylla and Lychnis coronaria (rose campion). Photo © Anne Galer

Each schizocarp separates into four nutlets on Pycnanthemum muticum (short-toothed mountain mint)

Pycnanthemum muticum (Short-toothed Mountain-mint) over-wintered seed heads in March

Pycnanthemum muticum (Short-toothed Mountain-mint) with emerging leaves in April

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