Known as a pollinator powerhouse, Pycnanthemum virginianum is a must-have for those focused on gardening for butterflies and bees. Virginia Mountain Mint is an aromatic, stout, branched perennial wildflower with dense white flower clusters blooming through mid to late summer. The plant has a pleasant, bushy appearance before flowerering, and after bloom, its seed heads persist through fall and winter, providing four seasons of visual interest.
Because of its strong scent, this plant is known for being exceptionally deer and rabbit resistant. It’s also highly adaptable, disease-resistant, and fairly drought tolerant, but it really thrives in soil that is a bit on the wet side, making it perfect for wet meadows and rain gardens. Do note that it can be aggressive in ideal conditions and may not be suitable for small formal gardens, though it is considerably less aggressive in dry soils.
As previously alluded to, Virginia mountain mint is highly attractive to a wide variety of insects - butterflies, native bees, beetles and more; which visit in droves for its abundant and nutritious nectar. If that’s not enough, the leaves and flowers of this plant are edible to humans as well, and can be used fresh or dried in culinary dishes and herbal teas.
Height: 3’
Flower color: white
Bloom time: July - September
Sunlight: Full sun - part shade
Wetness: medium-dry to wet
Soil type: clay, loam, sand
Attracts: butterflies, bees, and more
Photo credit: John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Known as a pollinator powerhouse, Pycnanthemum virginianum is a must-have for those focused on gardening for butterflies and bees. Virginia Mountain Mint is an aromatic, stout, branched perennial wildflower with dense white flower clusters blooming through mid to late summer. The plant has a pleasant, bushy appearance before flowerering, and after bloom, its seed heads persist through fall and winter, providing four seasons of visual interest.
Because of its strong scent, this plant is known for being exceptionally deer and rabbit resistant. It’s also highly adaptable, disease-resistant, and fairly drought tolerant, but it really thrives in soil that is a bit on the wet side, making it perfect for wet meadows and rain gardens. Do note that it can be aggressive in ideal conditions and may not be suitable for small formal gardens, though it is considerably less aggressive in dry soils.
As previously alluded to, Virginia mountain mint is highly attractive to a wide variety of insects - butterflies, native bees, beetles and more; which visit in droves for its abundant and nutritious nectar. If that’s not enough, the leaves and flowers of this plant are edible to humans as well, and can be used fresh or dried in culinary dishes and herbal teas.
Height: 3’
Flower color: white
Bloom time: July - September
Sunlight: Full sun - part shade
Wetness: medium-dry to wet
Soil type: clay, loam, sand
Attracts: butterflies, bees, and more
Photo credit: John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
