Silverleaf Mountain Mint
$5.95
Pycnanthemum incanum Perennial (hardy in zones 5-8)
Commonly called hoary mountain mint & native to eastern North America with striking fragrant silvery-white upper leaves and white/lavender spotted flowers in late summer.This herb is an excellent honey plant and food source for bees, butterflies, and moths. It was literally covered in pollinators!
Now endangered in Ontario
approx 100 seeds
Out of stock
Description
Now endangered in Ontario, Vermont and New Hampshire, planting seeds will help this beautiful native plant recover and flourish. Will thrive in most garden soils in full sun or part shade. Will tolerate dry better than most mints. Ht. 90cm/3ft.
Cherokee people used aromatic leaves as tea for headache, colds, fever and upset stomach. Vapours of the leaves were inhaled before sweat lodge purification ceremonies. Described as spearmint-like or lemony, pennyroyal-like.
These blooms were a great attraction for Sphex pensylvanicus, the Great Black Wasp which are large beautiful black wasps with an iridescent blue sheen. They apparently hunt down grasshoppers etc for their brood so not only a pollinator but insect control. They never bothered me and I walked closely by often so not aggressive.
I couldn’t locate much information about seed germination for this plant but I found them quite easy. Like most perennials the germination rate is not as high as annuals & can be a bit erratic.
Early spring, I sprinkled seed on the surface of soil-less mix and lightly pressed into the soil, around 20C and germination began in approx. 2 weeks. Then under lights until transplanted into pots then hardened off.
It has been growing here now for 3 years. I find drought does affect it so water when dry.
Kat Granger –
Michelle R. – December 17, 2023
Thanks Kat for processing my seed order so quickly! I have been ordering from Seeds of Imbolc for years and their service is top notch. I am especially looking forward to adding Silverleaf Mountain Mint to my garden this year because you can never have too many pollinator attracting plants, right? Hope to visit your flower farm in person one day!
Kat Granger –
5 Star Google Review: French Blooms
I have now ordered from here for several years and I highly recommend it. Kat is very passionate, knowledgeable and ships your order quickly! I love her unique selection of perennials. Lots of our perennials come from here. Some of my favourites are Silverleaf Mountain Mint, Figwort and Lychnis Chalcedonica!