Mountain Mint is covered in small white flowers, often spotted with purple, atop strongly upright stems. The genus name, Pycnanthemum, means "densely packed flowers," and the top of this plant is covered with a dense white bloom that is highly attractive to pollinators. Typical visitors include honeybees, and a wide variety of native bees, beetles, and Pearl Crescent butterflies. Most of the insects seek nectar.

The common name, Mountain Mint, is somewhat misleading since the plant typically occurs in moist soils in wet meadows, making it an excellent plant for rain gardens, shoreline plantings or any moist area. Low-growing and deer proof, Mountain Mint is unpalatable to a variety of herbivores and insects - probably due to the minty flavor. The leaves emit a strong aroma when crushed and can be used in teas. Soap Making And Bath oiils truly benefit from the intense aromatics of this variety. 

Germination Information: 
I recommend these seeds for experienced seed-sowers only, because they are VERY tiny and require some patience. Sow in pots indoors or outdoors (do not cover the seeds; just press them into the surface) and keep them moist in a warm, bright place. Germination may be slow and irregular, with seedlings appearing over a period of weeks. They remain very small for another month or two, but once you transplant them to pots (either individually or in groups of 3 or 4), they will eventually put on a nice amount of growth in summer and are ready to move to their final position in fall.