Appalachian Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum flexuosum
The mountain mint for dry, rocky sites: sharp spearmint fragrance, white midsummer blooms, heavy pollinator traffic, and deer deterrence.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Aug 138 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Aug 148 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Aug 158 AM – 2 PM
The mountain mint for dry, rocky sites where other Pycnanthemum species would struggle. brings the full ecological value to challenging Appalachian-condition gardens.
Appalachian Mountain Mint is the mountain mint adapted to the drier, more challenging conditions of rocky Appalachian slopes and woodland edges, more drought tolerant than Virginia or narrowleaf mountain mint, comfortable in average to lean, rocky soil as long as drainage is good. The narrow, lance-shaped leaves are fragrant when touched, releasing the same sharp spearmint scent as all Pycnanthemum species, and the midsummer white flower clusters bring the same intense pollinator traffic. This is the mountain mint to choose if your site is drier or rockier than ideal for the moisture-loving species. The 'flexuosum' epithet refers to the flexing, branching habit of the stems: the plant has a somewhat looser, more open structure than some other mountain mints, which gives it an easy, naturalistic quality in the garden. Plant it in full sun with good drainage and it will establish reliably and spread moderately to fill in its allotted space over several seasons. The mint fragrance is consistently deer-deterrent, and the pollinator performance in summer is excellent despite the drier site conditions this species tolerates.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown appalachian mountain mint propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 1.5–2.5 ft · 18–24 in wide
- Bloom time
- Midsummer
- Bloom color
- White
- USDA zones
- 4–8
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native range
- Eastern North America from New England south to Florida; dry to mesic open woods, rocky slopes, and woodland edges
Care notes for appalachian mountain mint.
Full to part sun, dry to average well-drained soil. More drought tolerant than most Pycnanthemum. Good drainage is important. Spreads by rhizome at a moderate rate. divide in spring every two to three years. Cut back in early spring. Virtually pest and disease free. The fragrance deters deer reliably.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside appalachian mountain mint.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Short on Space Package
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Birder’s Paradise Package
For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’.