Virginia Mountain Mint, Wild Basil, Prairie Hyssop

Pycnanthemumvirginianum

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Pycnanthemum (pik-NAN-thee-mum)
Species
virginianum (vir-jin-ee-AN-um)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Shiny/Glossy
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Lavender
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Perennials
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Birmingham, Alabama

Ashdown, Arkansas

Hinsdale, Illinois

Iowa City, Iowa

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Reading, Pennsylvania

Leesburg, Virginia

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
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C
Reading, PA (Zone 6b) | January 2012 | positive

Prolific performer in 7 gal container. The roots will grow out the drain holes. It can be harvested at least twice. The third growth c...Read More

B
B
Ashdown, AR (Zone 8a) | August 2009 | neutral

Small white flowers are not very showy. Plants are nicely scented when brushed against. Being of the mint family,they are fairly rampant...Read More

B
Lakemont, GA (Zone 8a) | March 2007 | neutral

Underwood gardens reports that this little-known plant is one of the best nectar plants for butterflies and other beneficial insects.

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