Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants
A comprehensive database of Tennessee native plants
Slender Mountain Mint, Narrowleaf Mountainmint
Slender Mountain Mint, Narrowleaf MountainmintPycnanthemum tenuifoliumFull to part sun, moderately wet to moderately dry moisture level, tolerates a wide range of soils including clay, moderately acid to neutral pH. 18-30 inches height, blooms in summer, white flowers, spreads by rhizomes and re-seeding.Germination Code: A, D. Very small seeds at 378,000 per ounce.Native Region: Statewide“Mountain” is a bit of a misnomer since the plant typically grows in the wild in dry woods, dry prairies and along roadsides. All parts of the plant emit a strong aroma of mint when crushed. Dried leaves can be used as a flavoring and in tea. Attractive flowers. Easy to grow. Vigorous and sometimes aggressive grower. Attracts birds, butterflies and bees. flower;sun;wet;clay |
 Photo Courtesy of John Hilty http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/  Photo Courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery http://www.prairiemoon.com/  Photo Courtesy of John Hilty http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/  Photo Courtesy of John Hilty http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/  Photo Courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery http://www.prairiemoon.com/ |
Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants 
When I first selected this plant for my native gardens, I specifically picked it because it was the only Pycnanthemum species in the seed catalog that was not listed as aggressive. So I figured it should be safe since most of the Mountain Mints are very aggressive. The first 3 years were just fine and it mixed nicely with other plant species. On the 4th year, I suddenly noticed that my whole meadow planting is mostly Slender Mountain Mint. I have a beautiful small field of it, which is striking when it is in bloom, but definitely not what I had in mind. It may not be aggressive in the short run but it surely is in the long-run. Had I known, I would have really scaled back on the amount of seed that I used. However, I imagine that this meadow will keep on changing over time and it will be interesting to see what this plant does in the future.