Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum

Common Names

Hairy Mountain Mint, Whorled Mountain Mint

Summary

Hairy Mountain Mint is a clump-forming, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial with blue-green, fuzzy foliage and dense clusters of white to pale lavender tubular flowers that are nectar-rich and attract bees and butterflies; a minty aroma rises from the leaves when brushed. Native from Ontario south through much of the eastern United States, it typically grows about 2–3 ft tall and 1–2 ft wide.

For cultivation, it is hardy in USDA zones 4a–10b and prefers full sun with average to moist, well-drained soils; it is suitable for native plant, rock, meadow, and herb gardens and is deer resistant. It spreads by rhizomes, so pruning back last year’s stems in spring helps manage growth; its nectar-rich flowers and fragrance support pollinator habitats and make it a good choice for border plantings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1 ft - 4 ft 11 in

Spread

1-3 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, rich loamy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

Mildly acidic to alkaline

Bloom Color

White to pale lavender

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Blue-green to green

Fall Foliage Color

Blue

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Vigorous grower

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Rhizomes

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, Butterflies, Other pollinators, Birds (seeds)