Pycnanthemum spp.
Mountain mint is a ravishing, aromatic herb that pulls bees and butterflies like a magnet.
When you’re inquisitive about offering pollinators with meals and habitat, add a number of of those crops to your yard or backyard!
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This perennial herb holds a particular place in my coronary heart, and I hope that if you develop your personal, it would have one in yours as nicely.
On this article you’ll discover ways to propagate silvery-hued mountain mint, what sort of sunshine, water, and soil circumstances it wants, in addition to concepts about easy methods to use it within the panorama.
Right here’s a sneak peek at what we’ll cowl:
Earlier than we get began, let me inform you – mountain mint is the plant that turned me right into a native plant convert.
A few years in the past, I purchased a small pot of clustered mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) from a neighborhood native plant sale in North Carolina, anticipating enjoyable alternatives to witness bumblebees or possibly some honey bees visiting my backyard.
I didn’t anticipate what really occurred.
When my clump of P. muticum bloomed, there was an all out pollinator social gathering in my yard. It was as if a message went out calling all beneficial insects far and huge to attend. I couldn’t even rely the variety of completely different species I used to be seeing!
I witnessed this spectacle with awe and skilled first hand the facility of rising native crops.
It’s possible you’ll be considering that my pollinator parade was merely anecdotal, however really, my expertise was not distinctive.
Researchers equivalent to Kaitlin Swiantek on the College of Florida have carried out research on the Pycnanthemum genus, and located that these crops entice an enormous range of helpful bugs.
In one of many research, it was decided that mountain mints are much more standard than milkweeds and goldenrods, that are recognized to be wildly engaging to pollinators.
Certain, non-US native crops like zinnias and cosmos will entice bees and even hummingbirds. However natives like Pycnanthemum species take wildlife care to a different degree.
We’ll be focusing totally on P. muticum on this article, however we are going to cowl a number of different species from this genus as nicely, so preserve studying to study extra!
What Is Mountain Mint?
P. muticum, often known as clustered mountain mint, is an evergreen perennial that has a clump forming progress behavior, with crops reaching one to 3 toes tall and huge.
Oval- or spear-shaped leaves are darkish inexperienced, have toothed margins, and develop reverse on branching, sq. stems. This foliage has a pleasant, minty perfume.
Inflorescences seem on the ends of stems in summer season, and the flower heads have giant, grayish white bracts that give the entire plant a silvery look.
The precise flowers are small, have two lips, and are white, pink, lavender, or blue in coloration.
Cultivation and Historical past
Native to the US and Canada, the Pycnanthemum genus comprises 19 species, 13 of that are present in mountain mint sizzling spot North Carolina.
Habitats for these species are various, together with moist and dry woodlands, sandy soils, rocky slopes, streambanks, meadows and clearings, prairies, thickets, and moist bluffs.
The Pycnanthemum genus is categorized taxonomically within the mint family, Lamiaceae.
Members of this genus are associated to a various array of backyard staples together with peppermint, basil, coleus, in addition to houseplant favorites equivalent to Swedish ivy.
Inside the true mint subtribe, Pycnanthemum is intently associated to bee balm, one other pollinator favourite.
One of the crucial widespread members of this genus, P. muticum is native to the jap central and jap US.
In its native vary, mountain mint is present in fields, meadows, and open woodlands, and might be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to eight.
As already famous, this genus is a wonderful selection for wildlife care. In actual fact the College of Georgia State Botanical Backyard named mountain mint one of many Pollinator Vegetation of the Yr for 2022.
And naturally, as you would possibly count on from an fragrant plant, you should utilize the leaves of this perennial as a refreshing natural tea!
Mountain Mint Propagation
Prepared to start out rising this aromatic perennial? Mountain mint might be propagated through seeds, cuttings, division, or transplanting.
From Seed
You may develop mountain mint from seed, however for improved germination charges, seeds want a chilly, damp stratification interval.
To realize this, sprinkle the seeds on a moist paper towel. Fold the paper towel in half, then half once more, and place it in a plastic bag. Retailer the plastic bag within the fridge for one to 2 months.
After the stratification interval, collect your provides: you’ll want four-inch nursery pots, rising medium, and a sprig bottle for watering.
Glass Spray Bottle With Adjustable Nozzle
Do you want a sprig bottle for initiatives like these? You could find a glass spray bottle with an adjustable nozzle obtainable via Amazon.
Fill the nursery pots with moist rising medium, equivalent to Rosy Soil’s Seedling seed beginning soil combine, obtainable for buy via Amazon.
Rosy Soil Seedling Seed Starting Soil Mix
When filling the nursery pots, depart a spot of about an inch between the floor of the soil and the rim of the pot.
Take a number of seeds and press them onto the floor of the soil, however don’t cowl them – they want mild for germination.
Moisten the rising medium with a sprig bottle, and place the pots in a location with brilliant oblique mild, and preserve them in a temperature vary of 65 to 75˚F, utilizing backside warmth if wanted.
You may preserve seedlings heat by inserting them on a warmth mat, such because the Soar Begin Warmth Mat from the Hydrofarm Retailer, obtainable for buy in an assortment of sizes via Amazon.
Preserve the soil moist however not soggy as seeds germinate and seedlings grow to be established.
If began indoors, harden seedlings off once they have a number of true leaves earlier than planting out.
To do that, transfer them open air to a protected, shady location for an hour or so, steadily growing the period of time and direct publicity to solar and wind over the course of a couple of week.
As soon as these younger mountain mint crops are hardened off, they are going to be prepared for transplanting.
Whereas seeds may also be sown instantly open air in fall, your probabilities of success can be a lot greater when beginning them in pots, because the seeds are so tiny.
Save your self some disappointment and use pots as a substitute of direct seeding.
From Cuttings
The very best time to propagate mountain mint from cuttings is in early summer season. For this challenge, you’ll want rising medium, rooting hormone, and four-inch nursery pots.
It’s alright to reuse previous nursery pots however you should definitely clear and sterilize them first.
Put together the pots first by filling them with moist rising medium, leaving a spot of about an inch between the floor of the soil and the rim of the pot.
Utilizing sterilized garden pruners, take 4 inch cuttings, making your lower just under a set of leaves. Snip off the underside set of leaves from every chopping.
Dip the tip of the chopping in rooting hormone equivalent to Olivia’s Cloning Gel, obtainable for buy in an array of jar sizes from Arbico Organics.
Poke a gap within the heart of the rising medium, then insert the chopping, firming the potting medium across the base. Place these in dappled shade and preserve the rising medium moist.
The chopping ought to type roots in a number of weeks – you’ll be able to test by pulling on the stem to see if it resists pulling out of the rising medium.
As soon as the mountain mint chopping is rooted, steadily acclimate it to direct daylight by growing solar publicity over a interval of a couple of week.
After this acclimatization interval, your chopping can be able to transplant.
By Division
Mountain mint grows from rhizomes, which might be divided when crops are dormant, both in late fall or early spring.
Earlier than you begin dividing this herb, a day or two forward of time, water each the mountain mint patch and the transplant location.
The day you’re able to divide, first dig a gap that’s about twice as deep and huge as the basis ball of the division you’re planning to separate off from the principle clump.
Take a shovel filled with the soil you simply dug out and blend it with an equal a part of compost, then put this combination again into the outlet.
Now it’s time to divide the present clump of mountain mint. Take a shovel and slice by way of the plant’s roots – you’ll be able to take half of it or much less for the brand new clump.
Work the shovel underneath the plant’s rhizomes and carry the clump out of the bottom.
Carry the lifted clump to the brand new location, or if wanted, place it into an empty pot to move it.
Place the clump into the outlet on prime of the combo of soil and compost – alter the quantity of soil beneath the clump in order that the highest of the plant’s root ball is degree with the bottom.
Water in and canopy the soil across the mountain mint plant with an inch or two of mulch.
Need extra particulars? Find step by step instructions for dividing perennials in our guide!
Transplanting
Upon getting a longtime mountain mint seedling or have bought a plant in a nursery pot you’ll have to transplant it both to a bigger container or into the bottom.
When you’d wish to strive the container methodology, you should definitely read our article about growing herbs in containers.
To transplant a specimen into the bottom, first select a day with mellow climate, if attainable, or wait till the late afternoon when the day has cooled off. Cloudy days are perfect for transplanting.
Dig a gap twice as deep and huge because the specimen’s nursery pot – plan to permit one to 3 toes of house for every plant.
Put a shovel filled with the soil you faraway from the outlet again into the outlet and blend it with an equal quantity of compost.
Take away the specimen from the nursery pot, loosen its roots, and blend any rising medium that comes off the roots into the outlet with the soil and compost.
Place the basis ball into the outlet, adjusting the quantity of free soil combination beneath it to maintain the highest of the basis ball degree with the bottom.
When it’s degree, backfill with soil, then water in. If the soil degree sinks in after watering, add extra soil, then pat the soil gently to degree it out.
Water in once more, and canopy the world across the plant with an inch or so of mulch.
If the climate is sizzling or dry, you should definitely water each couple of days or extra steadily to maintain the soil moist because the plant will get established.
Find out how to Develop Mountain Mint
Mountain mint thrives in full solar or half shade, however flowering can be finest in full solar.
This silvery herb requires well-draining soil that’s wealthy in natural matter, with a pH between 6.1 and seven.3.
Though it has some drought tolerance, P. muticum grows finest in reasonable to moist circumstances, so water crops throughout sizzling climate and drought as they get established.
Rising Ideas
- Situate in full solar to half shade.
- Present reasonable to moist circumstances.
- Develop in soil wealthy in natural matter.
Upkeep
Mountain mint is a low upkeep plant. Upkeep duties embody pruning, in addition to dividing when desired or when a plant is rising past its allotted house in your panorama.
Pruning this perennial is simple. Since this can be a stellar plant for pollinators, ideally you’ll prune to create bee nesting spots.
To do that, depart all of the dried stalks in place over the winter. In spring, lower just some of those again half approach and prune the remainder of the stalks all the way down to the soil.
The stalks left standing will present nesting spots for bees in spring.
Learn more about creating habitat for bees, in addition to different actions you’ll be able to take to assist them in our article!
As for dividing, this process is simply required if you wish to stop the plant from spreading, which it does slowly, and never prefer it’s bent on taking up the world like its relatives in the Mentha genus!
When mountain mint is dormant, you’ll be able to divide mature crops to maintain them on the desired dimension, as described within the propagation part above.
Mountain Mint Species to Choose
The primary topic of our article is P. muticum, often known as clustered, blunt, or quick toothed mountain mint.
Reaching one to 3 toes tall and huge, this one is thought for its silvery bracts and shallow tooth on the margins of the leaves.
Select this species if you’re within the jap or jap central US, Zones 4 to eight, and might present moist rising circumstances in full solar to half shade.
Buy P. muticum as a reside starter plant in a three-inch pot from Sacred Roots Nursery via Walmart.
Along with P. muticum, there are 18 different species of Pycnanthemum.
Listed below are a number of of curiosity:
Furry Mountain Mint
P. verticillatum var. pilosum, often known as P. pilosum, bushy, American, or whorled mountain mint, is native to the jap and central areas of the US.
Reaching one to 3 toes tall, this species has slim inexperienced leaves and clusters of small flowers at stem ends and at leaf axils.
It grows in full solar or half shade in dry to medium soils which have good drainage, in Zones 4 to eight.
You could find P. verticillatum var. pilosum seeds in a collection of packet sizes from Everwilde via Amazon.
Hoary Mountain Mint
P. incanum, often known as hoary mountain mint, is native to the jap US the place it grows in dry to medium moisture circumstances, in full solar or half shade.
This perennial reaches two to 3 toes tall and has a 3 to 4 foot unfold.
P. incanum has silvery white bracts and higher leaves, giving the entire plant an excellent, silvery white look. Flower clusters are white or white and lavender, and seem at terminal and higher leaf axils.
It is a sensible choice for Zones 4 to eight when you just like the appears to be like of P. muticum however want one thing for dryer circumstances.
You should purchase 0.16-ounce packs of P. incanum seeds from Roundstone Native Seeds LLC via Amazon.
Slender Mountain Mint
P. tenuifolium, extra generally often known as slim leaf or slender mountain mint, reaches two to 3 toes tall and huge.
As its widespread names counsel, it has skinny, needle-like leaves, with clusters of small white flowers on the ends of the stems.
Really helpful for Zones 4 to eight, it grows in full solar to half shade, in dry to medium moist soils, and has a large native vary, all through jap North America.
You’ll discover P. tenuifolium seeds in packs of 0.16-ounces from Roundstone Native Seeds LLC via Amazon.
Virginia Mountain Mint
Native to jap North America, Virginia mountain mint (P. virginianium) requires full solar and reasonable moisture.
This species has slim, tapering leaves with easy margins, and clusters of small white flowers on the ends of the stems.
It reaches two to 3 toes tall and one to 1 and a half toes huge, rising in Zones 3 to 7.
You’ll discover P. virginianium seeds in an assortment of pack sizes from Everwilde Farms via Amazon.
Managing Pests and Illness
Mountain mint just isn’t a lot bothered by pests or ailments, and it’s even immune to deer, gophers, voles, and rabbits.
The one illness which tends to have an effect on this plant is rust, which is extra of an issue when the plant is in worrying circumstances, equivalent to throughout instances of drought or proper after transplanting.
Referred to as “rust” due to the looks it has on crops, this can be a fungal illness that produces powdery, reddish orange spores on foliage.
You may stop this fungal difficulty by avoiding circumstances that may permit it to thrive. Area crops correctly and keep away from watering late within the day – water within the morning as a substitute.
If rust has appeared in your Pycnanthemum specimen, and isn’t widespread, you’ll be able to take away the affected foliage.
Nonetheless, if rust is current on a lot of the plant, lower the foliage again to the bottom and permit the plant to resprout.
Finest Makes use of for Mountain Mint
It’s not exhausting to discover a good use for mountain mint within the panorama!
Aesthetically, it would mix in completely with cottage gardens, herb gardens, edible gardens, and borders.
You too can let it naturalize in open woodlands or meadows.
As for panorama design, P. muticum creates an attention-grabbing, brilliant spot with its silvery white bracts.
Select a sort native to your location to develop with native wildflowers.
When you’re gardening for wildlife, do not forget that these crops have particular worth to bees, together with honeybees, bumblebees, and different sorts of native bees.
Butterflies, and predatory and parasitoid bugs additionally love Pycnanthemum species!
And whereas it’s noble to think about our insect neighbors – don’t overlook to take pleasure in some for your self as nicely – their leaves and flowers can be utilized to make invigoratingly minty herbal teas.
Fast Reference Rising Information
Plant Kind: | Herbaceous perennial | Flower/Foliage Colour: | White, pink, lavender, blue /inexperienced leaves, silver bracts |
Native to: | North America | Upkeep: | Low |
Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 4-8 | Tolerance: | Drought |
Bloom Time: | Summer time | Soil Kind: | Wealthy in natural matter |
Publicity: | Full solar, half shade | Soil pH: | 6.1-7.3 |
Time to Maturity: | 3 months | Soil Drainage: | Nicely-draining |
Planting Depth: | Floor sow (seeds), prime of root ball degree with soil (transplants) | Attracts: | Bees, butterflies, hoverflies, pollinators |
Spacing: | 1-3 toes | Makes use of: | Bee gardens, borders, butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, edible gardens, erosion management, herb gardens, insectaries, meadows, native gardens, naturalizing, pollinator gardens |
Top: | 1-3 toes | Order: | Lamiales |
Unfold: | 1-3 toes | Household: | Lamiaceae |
Water Wants: | Average | Genus: | Pycnanthemum |
Frequent Illness: | Rust | Species: | Incanum , muticum, tenuifolium, verticillatum, virginianium |
Mounds of Silver Are Pollinator Gold
Now that you already know simply easy methods to develop this aromatic plant, you’ll quickly be prepared to sit down again and luxuriate in these silvery flowers and watch a parade of pollinators cross by!
Are you rising mountain mint – and if that’s the case, which sort? Have you ever began counting pollinator guests but, maybe with the assistance of a citizen scientist app? Tell us within the feedback part under!
Care to delve into more mint growing info? We now have extra information for you proper right here: