If we were forced to choose just one group of plants for pollinator support, it might have to be mountain mints, or Pycnanthemum. 

This year we grew four species, and it’s hard to pick a favorite as all four have amazing benefits to pollinators, lovely fragrant foliage and blooms, and are incredibly easy to grow when planted in the right location.  All four can naturalize in their ideal habitat, though the Short-toothed is probably the most enthusiastic spreader of the four.  Choose the best for your garden based on available space for planting along with soil moisture and sunlight.  You will not be disappointed by the scent, delicate foliage and blooms, and above all else the sheer number and diversity of pollinator visitors!

Slender Mountain Mint - currently on sale May 22 - May 26

$5.95 for a 6" pot

• NATIVE perennial (z4-8) full sun-part shade, 2-3' tall and wide

• Abundant white blooms summer to fall; delicate, needle-like, aromatic leaves can be used to make tea

• A wonderful cut flower for both the airy blooms, and minty-scented foliage

• An easy-to-grow pollinator favorite; perfect for naturalizing in meadows or at woodland edges

• 2020 Native Plant of the Year

Virginia Mountain Mint - currently on sale May 22 - May 26

$5.95 for a 6" pot

• NATIVE perennial (z3-7) full sun, 2-3' tall, 1-2' wide

• Needle-like leaves line tall, strong stems

• Profuse clusters of small, white, mint-scented blooms last for over a month July to August

• Highly attractive to all kinds of pollinators

• Prefers moist soils of wet meadows, swamps, and along edges of streams and ponds in full sun

Hoary Mountain Mint

(nearly sold out)

• NATIVE perennial (z4-8) full-part sun, 2-3' tall, 3-4' wide

• Silvery-white foliage has a spearmint aroma

• Blooms are larger and more purple than most other mountain mints

• Flowers last from late summer-fall and are a favorite of butterflies, moths, and predatory wasps

• A ''top 10'' pollinator plant, one of the most productive plants in any pollinator garden

• Tolerates a range of soils, including clay and sandy

• Best planted with space to spread - great for larger pollinator gardens

Short-toothed Mountain Mint

(currently sold out)

• NATIVE perennial (z3-9) full-part sun, 2-3' tall and wide

• Fragrant blue-green foliage smells of spearmint, with an attractive, dense growth habit

• Silver bracts topped with small white blooms add ornamental appeal

• Simply one of the best plants for pollinators of all kinds

• Tolerates a range of soils, including clay and sandy

• Not overly aggressive but will spread - good for larger pollinator gardens