Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)

The white blossoms of Mountain Mint are an all-time favorite of many types of insects and pollinators. The plant has a long bloom time and has dense clusters of flowers, enabling it to bring a wide range of pollinators to your garden.

The plant has a wonderful minty scent that is enjoyed by people but may serve as a mosquito deterrent. Crushing the leaves strengthens the odor and can act as a natural bug repellent. The plant is also edible raw or cooked and is a favorite in teas or for different medicinal purposes. Mountain Mint can spread vigorously though underground rhizomes, leading us to classify it as a “friendly aggressive.” If you have a small garden space, it may require a little more effort to keep it contained. However, friendly aggressive plants can also help control nonnative invasive species. If you are battling a stubborn nonnative species in your landscape, giving it a native friendly aggressive competitor like Mountain Mint that benefits local pollinators and wildlife may be an effective control method.  It’s also great for lazy gardeners that just want something to spread!