Back to species databaseForb / Wildflower

Hoary Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum incanum

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Partial
Soil moisture
Medium to Medium-Dry
Bloom time
Jul–Sep
Bloom color
White
Notes
Aromatic, Rhizomatous

About Hoary Mountain Mint

Hoary Mountain Mint is a powerhouse pollinator plant that combines ornamental beauty with exceptional ecological value. This clump-forming perennial grows 2 to 4 feet tall and is distinguished by its silvery-white upper leaves, which give the plant a 'frosted' appearance in late summer. From July to September, it is topped with dense clusters of white to pale lavender flowers, often spotted with purple, that are absolutely swarmed by bees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps. The entire plant gives off a refreshing, spicy mint fragrance when brushed against. Native to the eastern United States, it is typically found in dryish open woods, thickets, and meadows. Hoary Mountain Mint is easy to grow, preferring full sun to partial shade and medium to medium-dry, well-drained soils. While it can spread via rhizomes to form small colonies, it is generally less aggressive than many other mints. Its striking foliage and high pollinator activity make it a must-have for any meadow, prairie, or naturalized garden border.

Native range

Native to 25 states:

AlabamaConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisIndianaKentuckyMassachusettsMarylandMichiganMississippiNorth CarolinaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaTennesseeVirginiaVermontWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Pycnanthemum incanum

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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