Slender Mountain Mint is a native perennial wildflower in the mint family known for its fine, airy foliage and dense clusters of small white flowers. It is one of the more delicate-looking mountain mints but still extremely valuable for pollinators. All plants come in 1.5 quart pots.
Key facts:
Scientific name:Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Family: Lamiaceae
Height: Typically 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 m)
Bloom time: Mid to late summer
Flower color: Small white flowers with subtle purple or pink speckling
Habitat: Dry to medium-moist prairies, meadows, open woods, and roadsides
Growing conditions: Full sun; tolerates dry, poor, and rocky soils very well
Ecological importance:
Produces abundant nectar that attracts bees, butterflies, wasps, and other beneficial insects.
Supports a wide diversity of pollinators during peak summer bloom.
Helps maintain native insect populations in open habitats.
Distinctive features:
Very narrow, almost thread-like leaves (hence “slender”).
Upright, branching stems with a soft, wispy appearance.
Dense clusters of tiny white flowers that can look like a light haze over the plant.
Strong minty fragrance when leaves are crushed.
Garden value:
Excellent for native meadows, pollinator gardens, and naturalistic plantings.
More restrained spread than some other mountain mints, making it easier to manage.
Drought tolerant and low maintenance once established.
Summary:
Slender mountain mint is a fine-textured native wildflower that combines delicate, airy foliage with powerful pollinator appeal. Its adaptability to dry sites and strong ecological value make it a standout choice for native plant gardens in much of eastern North America.
Slender Mountain Mint is a native perennial wildflower in the mint family known for its fine, airy foliage and dense clusters of small white flowers. It is one of the more delicate-looking mountain mints but still extremely valuable for pollinators. All plants come in 1.5 quart pots.
Key facts:
Scientific name:Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Family: Lamiaceae
Height: Typically 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 m)
Bloom time: Mid to late summer
Flower color: Small white flowers with subtle purple or pink speckling
Habitat: Dry to medium-moist prairies, meadows, open woods, and roadsides
Growing conditions: Full sun; tolerates dry, poor, and rocky soils very well
Ecological importance:
Produces abundant nectar that attracts bees, butterflies, wasps, and other beneficial insects.
Supports a wide diversity of pollinators during peak summer bloom.
Helps maintain native insect populations in open habitats.
Distinctive features:
Very narrow, almost thread-like leaves (hence “slender”).
Upright, branching stems with a soft, wispy appearance.
Dense clusters of tiny white flowers that can look like a light haze over the plant.
Strong minty fragrance when leaves are crushed.
Garden value:
Excellent for native meadows, pollinator gardens, and naturalistic plantings.
More restrained spread than some other mountain mints, making it easier to manage.
Drought tolerant and low maintenance once established.
Summary:
Slender mountain mint is a fine-textured native wildflower that combines delicate, airy foliage with powerful pollinator appeal. Its adaptability to dry sites and strong ecological value make it a standout choice for native plant gardens in much of eastern North America.
