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Pycnanthemum pilosum
Hairy Mountain Mint
Eastern and central North America, from Ontario south to Georgia and west to Oklahoma
Overview
Pycnanthemum pilosum is a hairy mountain mint that grows 30–48 inches (75–120 cm) tall and 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) wide — taller and more upright than P. muticum. Dense terminal clusters of tiny white to pale pink flowers appear from July through September. The species name 'pilosum' means 'hairy', describing the pubescent stems and leaves that give the plant a soft, fuzzy texture. The narrow, lance-shaped medium green leaves lack the silvery bracts of P. muticum, so the ornamental effect relies on the flower clusters and the overall plant architecture rather than silvered foliage. The strong mint fragrance is equally powerful as P. muticum. The pollinator attraction is comparable — extremely heavy bee, wasp, and butterfly traffic during bloom. The taller stature suits mid-to-back border positions. More drought-tolerant than P. muticum, thriving in lean, dry conditions where many other native plants struggle. The rhizome spread is moderate. Square mint-family stems. Deer avoid the strongly aromatic foliage. Leave standing through winter.
Native Range
Pycnanthemum pilosum is native to eastern and central North America, from Ontario south to Georgia and west to Oklahoma. It grows in dry prairies, meadows, and open woodlands.Suggested Uses
Used in pollinator gardens, prairie plantings, and naturalized areas. The taller stature suits mid-to-back border positions. More drought-tolerant than P. muticum. The mint fragrance and pollinator value match P. muticum. Choose P. pilosum for taller, drier sites and P. muticum for shorter, moister sites with silvery bract interest.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2'6" - 4'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowering from July through September, approximately 8 weeks. Dense white flower clusters. Extremely heavy pollinator traffic.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to pale pink, tiny, in dense terminal clustersFoliage Description
Medium green, narrow, lance-shaped, hairy, strongly mint-scentedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun to partial shade. Any well-drained soil. Tolerates drought, lean conditions, and clay. Do not fertilize. Leave standing through winter. Cut to ground in early spring.Pruning
Cut all stems to ground in late February–March. Leave standing through fall and winter.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons