Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum)
Pycnanthemum incanum is the scientific name for the species more commonly known as Hoary Mountain Mint or Hoary Basil, and it is a hardy herbaceous perennial belonging to the native mint family. Hoary Mountain Mint is widely distributed across much of the Eastern United States, extending northward into Ontario, Canada. It thrives in rocky, gravelly, or sandy soils and is commonly found growing in diverse natural habitats such as woods, thickets, open fields, and hillsides. Similar to Clustered Mountain Mint, Hoary Mountain Mint can exhibit somewhat aggressive growth habits, which makes it especially well-suited for larger garden areas or restoration projects where it can effectively challenge invasive plant species.
This plant typically attains a height of up to 3 feet and blooms from midsummer through early fall, specifically from July to September. During its blooming period, Hoary Mountain Mint attracts an impressive variety of pollinators including Long-horned Bees, Green Sweat Bees, Yellow-faced Bees, Small Resin Bees, Bumble Bees, Paper Wasps, Thynnid Wasps, Great Golden Digger Wasps, Great Black Wasps, Cuckoo Wasps, Beewolves, Potter Wasps, Grass Carrying Wasps, Soldier Flies, Syrphid Flies, Wedge-shaped Beetles, Banded Hairstreak Butterflies, as well as Hummingbirds. This rich diversity of visitors illustrates the plant’s important role in supporting local ecosystems and promoting pollinator health.
As is common with many members of the mint family, Hoary Mountain Mint is rich in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that serve a dual purpose: attracting pollinators while simultaneously repelling herbivores. This natural defense mechanism makes the plant nearly impervious to browsing by rabbits and deer. Beyond its ecological benefits, the plant’s strong, clean, and vibrant aroma is highly appealing to humans as well. Historically, Native Peoples have utilized Hoary Mountain Mint for thousands of years, appreciating its aromatic qualities in teas and medicinal preparations. It has been traditionally used to relieve headaches when combined with Black Willow, to stop nosebleeds, and to enhance mental alertness, showcasing its versatility and value as a natural remedy.
Plant Details:
USDA Zones: 4-9
Germination Needs: Needs no special treatment, seeds are small and need light to germinate, surface sow and bottom water for best results
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full to Partial
Soil Moisture: Medium, Medium-Dry
Plant Spacing: 3 - 4 feet
Height: 3 feet
Bloom time: July, August, September
Bloom Color: White/Purple
Advantages:
Pollinator Favorite: butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, beetles
Bird Favorite: seeds, insects, fruit, nectar, nesting, perchs.
Deer Resistant: Yes
Native to: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.
This species is considered present but rare in several counties of the states of Indiana, Michigan, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Delaware.
Seed Count: 25+
.
.
Packet quantities:
We pride ourselves on ethical, hands on, ecological management, using no mechanical or chemical methods whatsoever.
All of our native seed is hand reared, hand-picked, and hand packed from native prairies under our exclusive management, never breaking chain of custody from the field until it is sent to you. Each packet is hand prepared for shipment by us, directly.
Small seed species will contain greater than 20-25 seed
Large seed species will contain greater than 10-15 seed
All packets are individually marked at the bottom of the front label with expected count, however most if not all packets will have many more than the minimum count by default.
It is our mission to spread the wealth of native plant and pollinator ecological sustainability and educate back yard gardeners as well as corporate and government entities in how to germinate, grow, and benefit from native synergies.
Thank you for your support, it is because of you, that we can grow together to do, what we do. 🐛🦋🐝🐞🌾🌱🌼🧡
Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum)
Pycnanthemum incanum is the scientific name for the species more commonly known as Hoary Mountain Mint or Hoary Basil, and it is a hardy herbaceous perennial belonging to the native mint family. Hoary Mountain Mint is widely distributed across much of the Eastern United States, extending northward into Ontario, Canada. It thrives in rocky, gravelly, or sandy soils and is commonly found growing in diverse natural habitats such as woods, thickets, open fields, and hillsides. Similar to Clustered Mountain Mint, Hoary Mountain Mint can exhibit somewhat aggressive growth habits, which makes it especially well-suited for larger garden areas or restoration projects where it can effectively challenge invasive plant species.
This plant typically attains a height of up to 3 feet and blooms from midsummer through early fall, specifically from July to September. During its blooming period, Hoary Mountain Mint attracts an impressive variety of pollinators including Long-horned Bees, Green Sweat Bees, Yellow-faced Bees, Small Resin Bees, Bumble Bees, Paper Wasps, Thynnid Wasps, Great Golden Digger Wasps, Great Black Wasps, Cuckoo Wasps, Beewolves, Potter Wasps, Grass Carrying Wasps, Soldier Flies, Syrphid Flies, Wedge-shaped Beetles, Banded Hairstreak Butterflies, as well as Hummingbirds. This rich diversity of visitors illustrates the plant’s important role in supporting local ecosystems and promoting pollinator health.
As is common with many members of the mint family, Hoary Mountain Mint is rich in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that serve a dual purpose: attracting pollinators while simultaneously repelling herbivores. This natural defense mechanism makes the plant nearly impervious to browsing by rabbits and deer. Beyond its ecological benefits, the plant’s strong, clean, and vibrant aroma is highly appealing to humans as well. Historically, Native Peoples have utilized Hoary Mountain Mint for thousands of years, appreciating its aromatic qualities in teas and medicinal preparations. It has been traditionally used to relieve headaches when combined with Black Willow, to stop nosebleeds, and to enhance mental alertness, showcasing its versatility and value as a natural remedy.
Plant Details:
USDA Zones: 4-9
Germination Needs: Needs no special treatment, seeds are small and need light to germinate, surface sow and bottom water for best results
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full to Partial
Soil Moisture: Medium, Medium-Dry
Plant Spacing: 3 - 4 feet
Height: 3 feet
Bloom time: July, August, September
Bloom Color: White/Purple
Advantages:
Pollinator Favorite: butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, beetles
Bird Favorite: seeds, insects, fruit, nectar, nesting, perchs.
Deer Resistant: Yes
Native to: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.
This species is considered present but rare in several counties of the states of Indiana, Michigan, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Delaware.
Seed Count: 25+
.
.
Packet quantities:
We pride ourselves on ethical, hands on, ecological management, using no mechanical or chemical methods whatsoever.
All of our native seed is hand reared, hand-picked, and hand packed from native prairies under our exclusive management, never breaking chain of custody from the field until it is sent to you. Each packet is hand prepared for shipment by us, directly.
Small seed species will contain greater than 20-25 seed
Large seed species will contain greater than 10-15 seed
All packets are individually marked at the bottom of the front label with expected count, however most if not all packets will have many more than the minimum count by default.
It is our mission to spread the wealth of native plant and pollinator ecological sustainability and educate back yard gardeners as well as corporate and government entities in how to germinate, grow, and benefit from native synergies.
Thank you for your support, it is because of you, that we can grow together to do, what we do. 🐛🦋🐝🐞🌾🌱🌼🧡
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