Description
Clustered Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) is a vigorous, aromatic native perennial prized for its pollinator power and silvery bracts that give a soft, luminous appearance in the landscape. Native to the eastern United States, it naturally occurs in moist meadows, woodland edges, and open thickets. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers medium to moist, well-drained soils, though it can tolerate periods of dryness once established. Growing 2 to 3 feet tall, it spreads by rhizomes to form dense colonies, making it excellent for naturalizing or filling in open garden spaces.
From mid to late summer, P. muticum produces clusters of small, pale pink to whitish flowers that are highly attractive to a remarkable diversity of pollinators. Bees, including native bumble bees and sweat bees, butterflies, beneficial wasps, and even beetles flock to this plant, making it one of the best native plants for supporting pollinator populations. Though it is not a host plant for caterpillars, its nectar supports adult butterflies and bees crucial for ecosystem health. Its strong minty fragrance deters deer and rabbits, and its foliage can be used sparingly in teas. Clustered Mountain Mint is an excellent addition to pollinator gardens, meadow plantings, and restoration projects focused on biodiversity and habitat creation.
