(Pycnanthemum virginianum ‘Mountain’)

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Mountain Mint is a native perennial herb that is can be commonly found growing along streams, rivers, ponds, swamps, and wet meadows throughout the Midwest and northeastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features erect branching stems, aromatic, narrow, tapering, toothless leaves, and clusters of aromatic, white, two lipped flowers. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and predatory wasps, is resistant to deer, and is both edible and medicinal! 

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  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Culinary
  • Medicinal
  • ​Companion Planting
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Family: Lamiaceae 

Genus: Pycnanthemum 

Species: virginianum

Variety: Mountain Mint

Also Known As: Virginia Mountainmint, Wild Basil, Prairie Hyssop

Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Rhode I., South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Grown as: Perennial
 
Maturity (Blooms): July to September

Light: Full sun

Water: Medium

Soil moisture: Medium, well-drained.

Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Attract a large number of nectar seeking insects and butterflies.

Maintenance: Low

Height: 24-36”
 
Spacing: 15-24”

Sow Depth: On Soil Surface
 
USDA Zone: 3a-7b

Produces: erect branching stems, aromatic, narrow, tapering, toothless leaves, and clusters of aromatic, white, two lipped flowers.​

Garden Uses: Interesting plant for the herb garden, border, naturalized area or meadow. Also may be grown in open areas near ponds and streams.
Direct sow in early spring as soon as the soil has warmed, pressing into the surface of the soil surface since this plant needs light to germinate. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination. If starting the seed indoors, keep in mind that the best temperature for germination is 70 degrees F. Keep seedlings lightly moist, and transplant them as soon as they have developed several leaves.
Water seedlings regularly until they become established, and control weeds. Mature plants tolerate drought well and flourish in fairly dry soil, though they will benefit from occasional watering in dry weather. This plant also grows well in rocky or clay soil. It can spread vigorously by rhizomes once established, though it does not usually reseed. This plant is extremely attractive to bees, and is a valuable nectar plant; it also grows well in containers.
This plant can be harvested for both fresh and dried use. Choose stems that are just beginning to bloom, cutting them in the morning before the dew has dried.
When the flower spikes begin to dry and turn color, shake the entire plant's seed heads over a container to remove the seed. To collect the most seed, repeat the process daily until all the seed has matured. Store the seed in a cool, dry place.
Flower buds and leaves: raw or cooked. A mint-like flavor, they make a nice addition to salads or can be used as a condiment. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing mint-like tea.
A tea made from the leaves is alterative, diaphoretic and carminative. A poultice of the leaves is used in the treatment of headaches. The tea is also used in the treatment of menstrual disorders, indigestion, colic, coughs, colds, chills and fevers.The flowering stems are cut as flowering begins and they can be used fresh or dried. There is a suggestion that this plant can cause abortions, so it is best not used by pregnant women.
​Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Companion Planting

In dry prairies it is found with little bluestem, sky-blue aster, coreopsis, wild strawberry, switch grass, yellow coneflower, black-eyed Susan, stiff goldenrod, prairie dropseed, spiderwort, and golden Alexanders. In moist prairies and fens it is found with bluejoint grass, marsh shield fern, sneezeweed, sawtooth sunflower, yellow stargrass, rattlesnake root, cord grass, New England aster, spotted joe-pye weed, boneset, and cowbane.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Suggested Varieties

(Rudbeckia hirta 'Black-Eyed Susan')

Black-Eyed Susan is a native tender perennial flower commonly found growing in fields, woods, prairies, and along roadsides throughout the eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-3' and features 3-7” hairy lance-shaped leaves, 3” daisy-like flowers with orange to yellow petals, and a brown dome center. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, tolerates drought and light frost, is resistant to deer, self-sows, and is used as a cut flower!
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(Eupatorium perfoliatum ‘Boneset’)

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Boneset is a native clump-forming perennial flower that commonly grows in wet soils of woods, prairies, and meadows throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 3-4' and features hairy stems, wrinkled, lance-shaped leaves with clusters of white flowers. Not only is this plant great as a cut flower, but it also attracts bees and butterflies, is drought resistant, can grow in a container, has medicinal uses, is resistant to deer, and self-sows! 
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(Tradescantia occidentalis ‘Prairie Spiderwort’)

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Prairie Spiderwort is a native clump-forming perennial flower that can be commonly found growing in hill and elevated sand prairies, and along roadsides and railroads throughout the mid-west and central United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2' and features branching stems, long narrow leaves, and 3 petaled violet-blue flowers that have yellow anthers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer and rabbits, self sows, and is great as a cut flower! 
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