Indi Scaping design

Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum

A genus of perennials that are related to Mints and especially Monarda. The flowers are very attractive to butterflies.
They are generally deer resistant. I

Pycnanthemum californicum ( Sierra Mint )
A perennial, reaching up to 40 inches in height, that is native to brushland and forest in the hills and mountains of California.
The lance-shaped to oval leaves are slightly over an inch in length and are oppositely arranged.
The flowers are white.

* photo of unknown internet source


Pycnanthemum flexuosum ( Savanna Mountain Mint )
A rhizomatous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 4 feet, that is native to open woods and prairies in eastern North America ( Mississippi to Virginia; south to Florida ). It is highly localized and endangered in Mississippi and Alabama.
The aromatic, slender leaves are luxuriant, mid-green. The foliage often develops reddish tones during autumn.
The abundant, white ( with purple speckles ) flowers are borne all summer long. The flowers are highly attractive to butterflies.
Hardy zones 6 ( 5b if protected ) to 9 in full sun to partial shade on acidic, well drained soil. It is easy to grow and drought tolerant.

Pycnanthemum incanum ( Hoary Mountain Mint )
A vigorous, rhizomatous spreading perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 4 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to eastern North America ( Michigan to New Hampshire; south to Mississippi to northern Florida ) where it is usually found in sandy or rocky woods. It is endangered in Ontario ( grows in Oak savannah near Burlington ), Vermont and New Hampshire.
The white flowers are borne on dense heads, up to 12 inches across, from mid summer to early autumn.
The stems are covered in white down.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 in partial shade.

* photos taken on Aug 25 2013 @ University of Maryland, College Park

* photos taken on Oct 17 2013 in Olney, MD


Pycnanthemum muticum ( Short-toothed Mountain Mint )
A perennial, reaching up to 3.3 ( reports of 5 ) x 3 feet, that is native to meadows and moist woodlands in eastern North America ( from northern Illinois to Michigan to Vermont; south to Louisiana to Georgia. It is endangered in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Vermont, West Virginia and Delaware. It is NOT invasive unlike its true Mint ( Mentha ) relatives.
The foliage is aromatic and can be used for making tea. Rubbing the leaves on the skin also repels mosquitos.
The fragrant, light pink flowers are borne in dense clusters. The bracts persist all summer long into early autumn. The flowers are very attractive to butterflies and honey bees.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in full sun to partial shade on consistent moist, well drained soil. Cut back during early summer to encourage dense habit.

Pycnanthemum pilosum
A vigorous, rhizomatous perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5 feet, that is native to prairies and open woodlands the central & eastern U.S. ( from eastern Nebraska, northern Iowa to Michigan & Ontario to Massachussetts; south to northern Georgia..excluding Virginia and the Carolinas ). It has become extinct in West Virginia and New York State and can be considered highly localized or endangered anywhere north and east of Illinois.
The minty aromatic, soft, woolly, small leaves, up to 3 x 0.7 inches, are deep green.
The showy, white to pink ( spotted purple ) flowers are borne on dense terminal clusters over a very long season from early summer until autumn frost.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil.

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium ( Slender-Leaf Mountain Mint )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 3 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to open woods and prairies in eastern North America ( Minnesota to Ontario to Maine; south to Kansas to eastern Texas to Georgia ).
The aromatic, slender leaves are luxuriant, mid-green.
The white ( with purple speckles ) flowers are borne all summer long. The flowers are highly attractive to butterflies.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in full sun to partial shade on acidic, well drained soil. It is easy to grow and drought tolerant.

* photo taken on July 10 2013 in Howard Co., MD

* photos taken on Aug 25 2013 @ University of Maryland, College Park


Pycnanthemum virginianum ( Virginia Mountain Mint )
A vigorous, rhizomatous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 4 + feet, that is native to eastern North America ( from North Dakota to Maine; south to Oklahoma to North Carolina. It is now extinct in Ontario, Canada where it was once found in sandy oak savannah. Some records include: 1 st year - x 2 feet.
The lance-shaped leaves, up to 5 inches in length, are deep green.
The showy bracts and fragrant, lavender ( spotted lilac ) flowers are borne mid summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in partial shade.

* photo of unknown internet source