Pycnanthemum muticum - Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum muticum, commonly known as mountain mint in its country of origin, is a North American perennial plant, related to mints, with foliage that releases a strong aroma of Moroccan mint when crushed. Growing in dense clumps, with a fairly dark green colour, it is also very decorative with its long summer flowering in spikes adorned with small tubular pink flowers surrounded by shining silver bracts. Beautiful and useful, this false mint will delight lovers of beautiful wildflowers without worries. It is hardy, vigorous but not invasive, and easy to grow in moderately dry soil.

Pycnanthemum muticum belongs to the large Lamiaceae family. It is native to the eastern regions of North America, where it grows in low and medium mountains, at the edge of woods, and in the wet meadows of states from Massachusetts to Michigan, as well as in the south of Louisiana and Florida. It is a hardy and deciduous medicinal perennial plant, with square-sectioned branched stems and a slightly spreading rhizome. Standing at an average height and width of 60cm (24in), it has oval, lanceolate leaves with a pointed tip, which are highly aromatic when crushed. They measure 5cm (2in) in length and have finely toothed edges. Their colour is a dark and shiny green. They emit a strong but pleasant aroma, somewhat similar to that of Mentha spicata, but contain a high content of pulegone, a toxic compound (abortifacient) when ingested in high doses. The second asset of this plant is its flowering, which takes place from June to September. Small pale-pink bilabiate flowers appear at the tips of the leafy stems, surrounded by leafy bracts that appear silver-covered. This flowering is highly attractive to bees and nectar-seeking insects.

Mountain mint can be grown almost anywhere, except in coastal areas and under excessively dry climates. Plant it in a sunny exposure that enhances the beauty of its foliage. It can be used to create beautiful, naturally scented borders. Plant it with mountain savory, wild thyme, pennyroyal, oregano, and marjoram, all of which release surprising fragrances with the slightest touch. It can also be incorporated into a more traditional flower bed, with colourful heucheras, grasses like Pennisetum alopecuroides, echinaceas, Oriental poppies, and many others. It enhances the upright silhouette of foxgloves and delphiniums, as well as the fountain-like habit of small annual grasses (Lagurus ovatus, Setarias viridis 'Caramel', Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum').