Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: slender mountain mint
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Leaf: Fragrant
Tolerate: Drought, Erosion, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. A vigorous and sometimes aggressive grower.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium, commonly called mountain mint, is somewhat misleading since the plant typically grows in the wild in dry, open, rocky woods, dry prairies and fields, along roadsides, along streams and in open wet thickets. An erect, many-branched, herbaceous perennial that grows 2-3' tall and features extremely narrow, almost needle-like leaves and profuse terminal clusters of small, white flowers which bloom in mid to late summer. All parts of the plant emit a strong, mint-like aroma when crushed. Pycnanthemums have been used in teas.
A Missouri native plant that is found throughout the state.
Genus name comes from Greek pyknos meaning dense and anthos meaning flower for its densely packed flowers.
Specific epithet means narrow leaves.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Interesting plant for the herb garden, rock garden, border, naturalized area or meadow. Also may be grown in open areas near ponds and streams.