Plant Sale 2025 – Mountain Mint Magic

If you are creating or tending to a pollinator garden, make space for Mountain mint! This fragrant, herbaceous perennial plant likes partial-full sun reaches about 3 feet in height in a bushy form and can have a fairly long bloom time – sometimes as long as June-September. It has great foliage as well making it an attractive addition to the garden even when not in bloom.

As you might expect, when the leaves give off a strong mint scent, especially when crushed. Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum) has even been used in teas, soups, stews, cocktails, flavorings, and as a substitute for regular mint! Check out this Mountain Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake recipe if you’re interested in giving it a whirl in the kitchen.

This underutilized pollinator-friendly plant is a great option for a garden border or an herb garden, and is an excellent choice for naturalized areas, meadows, around ponds and along streams. It spreads via rhizomes so it can take over a space if not properly maintained, especially with moist soil; so, if you want to use it in a more structured garden, make sure you keep it in check!