Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

Scientific Name: Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

Common Name: Slender Mountain Mint

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Blooming Time: July to September

Bloom Duration: 2 to 3 months

Fragrance: Strong, refreshing mint fragrance when foliage is brushed or crushed

Plant Growing Habit: Upright, clump-forming, spreading

Characteristics: A native North American perennial with delicate, thread-like foliage and clusters of small white flowers, often marked with subtle purple spots. The airy texture and aromatic leaves provide excellent landscape interest throughout the growing season. A premier pollinator plant, attracting a wide variety of bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Deer and rabbit-resistant, it is ideal for native gardens, pollinator gardens, meadows, prairie plantings, and naturalized landscapes.

Spacing: 45 to 60 cm apart

Height: 60 to 120 cm

Width: 45 to 75 cm

Maintenance Requirements: Low maintenance. Prefers full sun and well-drained soil but adapts to a variety of soil conditions, including dry, sandy, or rocky soils. Water regularly during the first growing season; once established, it is highly drought-tolerant. Prune back old stems in late fall or early spring before new growth appears. Light trimming in early summer can encourage a more compact shape. Fertilization is generally unnecessary, and excessive fertility may reduce flowering. Hardy and well suited to Canadian gardens in Zones 4–8.

Images Courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company of Ball Seed or www.ballseed.com