A native species, and one of the very best for attracting pollinators, Short Toothed Mountain Mint starts out as a tidy clump of green minty-scented foliage. However, as the season progresses and buds begin to develop, Pycnanthemum’s foliage begins to take on a soft velvety texture and develops a downy silver sheen. The nectar-rich flower bracts are a bit unassuming, with small pinkish-white flowers; but as they age, they develop a unique honeycomb-like texture and can even be left standing in the fall for winter interest. A vigorous grower, but not aggressive like true mint, Pycnanthemum is a great choice for naturalizing, as well as woodland planting, and can also be used as a soil stabilizer. 2025 Perennial Plant of the Year.
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Details
Hardiness Zone:
4
Blossom Color:
White to Cream
Growth Habit:
Slow Spreading
Max Height:
3'
Texture:
Fine Texture
Recommended Spacing:
2' to 3'
We sell this plant in these containers:
#1 Pot
Special Characteristics
Bees
Award Winning
Butterflies
Controls Erosion
Cuttings
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant Flowers
Large Area
Moderate Area
Native Species
Seasonal Effect
Features
Foliage has a soft velvety texture and develops a downy silver sheen, the nectar-rich flower bracts are a bit unassuming, with small pinkish-white flowers; but as they age, then develop a unique honeycomb-like texture.
Landscape Value
Pycnanthemum is a great choice for naturalizing, as well as woodland planting, and can also be used as a soil stabilizer.
Care
Watering:
Short Toothed Mountain Mint is moderately drought tolerant but benefits from occasional watering, to maintain soil in a moist but not wet condition, during the summer months.
Fertilizing:
Short Toothed Mountain Mint is a moderate feeder, benefiting from a couple of annual applications of slow release fertilizer. A spring application of a 3-1-2 ratio (such as a 15-5-10) can be applied at a rate of about 10 pounds per 1000 square feet, and during early fall, an application of a 2-1-2 ratio (such as a 10-5-10) can be applied to encourage root development and cold hardiness.
Pruning:
Short Toothed Mountain Mint should be enjoyed all winter long, then, during early April before it begins to grow again, it should be pruned or mowed back to ground level.
