Mountain Mint – Narrow Leaf (3.25″ pot)

Description

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium – Commonly known as Narrow-Leafed or Slender Mountain Mint. This is the easiest species to identify because the foliage is very slender and the whole plant has a different shaggy look to it. Looks like tarragon actually… and almost smells like tarragon too… not a ton of menthol here – the mint scent is barely discernable. I pop them in between the other species as delineators. Flowers are a little boring compared to the clustered ones with the light-colored bracts. Flowers are white and resemble goldenrod in structure. With its subtle oil content and mild scent, I feel like P. tenuifolium may be a best bet for hosting native larvae.

I also love P. tenuifolium for its spent flower heads – I use them as highlights in evergreen wreathes for the holidays..

Pycnanthemums are great native plants that nourish and support wildlife of all sorts. They do not spread like the culinary mentha mints. The Mountain Mints are exquisite plants and a big favorite of mine. They attract so many insects that the plant looks like it is moving. The flowers are wonderful, the leaves scented with a wonderful bright mint flavor. In winter the seed heads are amazing for decorating or leaving for birds to enjoy in the garden. We have 6 different species for sale.