Slender / Narrow-Leaved Mountain Mint - Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

 Category: Perennial

Common Name: Slender Mountain Mint

Scientific Name: Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

Sun Conditions:Full Sun/Partial Shade

Soil Conditions: Dry to Medium Moist

Height Range: 2-3 ft (to 4 ft)

Width Range: 2-3 ft (spreads by rhizomes)

Growth Habit: Upright

Growth Rate: Medium

Bloom Color: White to pale lavender (purple-spotted)

Bloom Time: Summer to Fall

Seed/Fruit Production: Yes

Foliage Color: Green

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8

Evergreen: No (silvery seed heads persist into winter)

Deer Resistant: Yes (aromatic foliage is deer and rabbit resistant; USDA notes deer may occasionally browse the leaves)

Forage: Not a preferred browse; various animals eat the small seeds

Poisonous: No known toxicity (leaves and flowers are used in teas and seasonings)

Wildlife Value Highlights: Pollinator/meadow plantings, borders, herb and fragrance gardens, cut/dried flowers, erosion control (spreads by rhizomes but not terribly aggressive)

Ecological/Landscape Use: Excellent nectar source — a Cape May, NJ study recorded 20 species of bees, wasps and butterflies; sweat bees and flies especially attracted; seeds eaten by a variety of animals

Lepidoptera Supported by Family/Group: Host plant for about 5 Lepidoptera species; heavily visited by butterflies

Lepidoptera Supported by Species: Not itemized at species level

For More Info: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pycnanthemum-tenuifolium/