Mountain Mint

mountain mint petals emerging
Mountain Mint, petals emerging

Virginia Mountain Mint, Pycnanthemum virginianum

This plant is great because it’s flowering for about two months (July and August-ish). It can get up to 3′ tall. has a square stem, and the leaves smell like mint. The flowers are small and spotted, with heads containing multiple flowers being less than 1″ across.

Gallic acid, a chemical in the pollen of this mountain mint flower, can enhance the honey bee’s gut health. (USDA source)