Slender Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium)
The Mountain Mints are pollinator magnets, and this one is no exception. The small white flowers last for weeks and are very attractive to many native bees, butterflies, and skippers (illinoiswildflower.info). It is considered a preferred pollinator plant by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Due to its strong fragrance, mammalian herbivores typically avoid browsing on this plant. Slender Mountain Mint spreads by rhizomes to form small colonies and can be quite vigorous, so choose your planting spot wisely. If you can find a place for these plants, you will be amazed at the number of different insects visiting at any given time.
Photo credit: Doug McGrady
The Mountain Mints are pollinator magnets, and this one is no exception. The small white flowers last for weeks and are very attractive to many native bees, butterflies, and skippers (illinoiswildflower.info). It is considered a preferred pollinator plant by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Due to its strong fragrance, mammalian herbivores typically avoid browsing on this plant. Slender Mountain Mint spreads by rhizomes to form small colonies and can be quite vigorous, so choose your planting spot wisely. If you can find a place for these plants, you will be amazed at the number of different insects visiting at any given time.
Photo credit: Doug McGrady
The Mountain Mints are pollinator magnets, and this one is no exception. The small white flowers last for weeks and are very attractive to many native bees, butterflies, and skippers (illinoiswildflower.info). It is considered a preferred pollinator plant by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Due to its strong fragrance, mammalian herbivores typically avoid browsing on this plant. Slender Mountain Mint spreads by rhizomes to form small colonies and can be quite vigorous, so choose your planting spot wisely. If you can find a place for these plants, you will be amazed at the number of different insects visiting at any given time.
Photo credit: Doug McGrady
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full-Partial, but seems to prefer full sun
Soil Moisture: Medium-wet, Medium, Medium-dry
Height: 1-3 feet
Plant Spacing: 1-1.5 feet
Bloom Time: June-September
Bloom Color: White
Advantages: Deer Resistant, Pollinator Favorite, Recommended, but can be vigorous
Host: 4 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)
