Pycnanthemum virginianum

Virginia Mountain Mint is an herbaceous perennial of the Mint family found mostly in north central and north eastern U.S. Two counties in NC are among a very small handful of counties reporting this plant in the southeast. Nevertheless, we are respectful of its potential value in our landscape for a number of reasons. It grows well here, in full sun/part shade with medium to moist soils; slender, branching stems support white-to-pale-lavender flowers at about 3′ in height which smell great and attract crowds of pollinators (bees, wasps, flies, small butterflies, beetles) during its very long bloom time from mid- to late-summer; it is a tough groundcover capable of holding a steep bank; and finally, like other members of this family, the narrow, opposite, simple leaves of Mountain Mint may be used in salads or to make tea. We have not found anything to dislike about this super-useful plant.