Pycnanthemum muticum, also known as Mountain Mint, is a seldom-seen perennial with several fine qualities. Its small pink flowers, surrounded by attractive silvery-green bracts, are an extremely valuable nectar source for pollinators of all types. Being a member of the mint family its highly aromatic foliage is unattractive to browsers such as deer and rabbits. The foliage also contains pulegone, a compound that acts as a natural insect repellent if rubbed on the skin and is used as an essential oil in perfumes and aromatherapy. The quality we appreciate most is the beautiful way that it dries; retaining its silvery seafoam green color and its wonderful fragrance. Simply harvest the flowers at their peak and hang them upside down in a dry place for several weeks and you will have a lovely addition to winter arrangements & bouquets.

In addition to Pycnanthemum muticum we also grow two other Mountain Mints that share all of the same fine qualities. Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Slender Mountain Mint) and Pycnanthemum virginianum (Common Mountain Mint) are both Wisconsin moist prairie natives with narrow green aromatic leaves and clusters of palest pink to white flowers.

All of the Pycnanthemum grow 24”-36” tall and thrive in full sun to partial shade.