Description

American Mountain Mint description:

This is not the same genus as the main group of mints (Mentha), but it does have a minty fragrance and has better flowers.
It’s not so invasive as the Mentha mints.

The flowers are cream coloured and appear in the summer.

A pollinator friendly plant including bees.
This is a butterfly friendly plant.
A bat friendly plant.
Can tolerate a coastal aspect with a certain amount of salt laden air.

How easy is it to grow:
This is okay in a border or herb garden and it is fairly easy to grow in a soil that has some moisture in it – including heavy or clay soils. but it is susceptible to rust (see ‘Care and Maintenance’ below).

Also known as Hoary Mountain Mint.

Botanical name: Pycnanthemum pilosum.

 

American Mountain Mint culinary uses:

Can be used in salads and tea.

The best position in the garden:

Sun or semi shade.

Is it useful as a ground cover plant?

Yes, put it in a small gap in the middle of a border.

What type of soil:

Any reasonable soil where not too dry. Tolerates clay soil.

How much moisture:

Normal moisture.

Hardiness and, or, lifespan:

Hardy.

Care and maintenance:

When newly planted always keep it watered until the roots have grown down and it is able to find its own moisture.

In the early autumn trim hard down to ground level and remove all leaf debris to stop the spread of rust.
If there are any stems and leaves with brown spots, cut off at ground level and pick up any fallen leaves.
At any point in the growing season trim back to half size if the bush is looking straggly.

Leaves can get very speckled from Leafhoppers.

Size of plant:

Height 90 cm.
Spread 30 cm.

Planting density – to calculate how many plants are required in a planting scheme:

Allow 11 plants per square metre.

Mail order herbs for your herb bed and borders.