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Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Almost Wordless Wednesday

 Pycnanthemum muticum is quite possibly a pollinator perfect plant.
Clustered Mountain Mint in my garden this morning
The flowers of Pycnanthemum muticum might be small, but they are mighty!

The researchers at Penn State's The Pollinator Trial  found that Clustered Mountain Mint was the best plant for flowering longevity; for pollinator visitor diversity; for sheer number of insect visitors (78); and, for sheer number of bee and syrphid visitors. (from Wildflower Wednesday:A Mint You and the Pollinators Will Love)



There's a lot more I could say about this beautiful plant, but you can read my 2014 Wildflower Wednesday post or check with your local Native Plant Society.  I don't think you'll be sorry you planted this pretty in your pollinator garden. The pollinators will thank you.

xoxogail


Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.

8 comments:

  1. Very pretty!
    Looking at USDA map I see it is native all across the southeastern US. Maybe I can find it here in Mississippi.
    Have a wonderful day!

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  2. I LOVE my Pycnanthemum clump. It's a real standout, even among other great pollinator-friendly plants!

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  3. I don't feel it is as invasive as other mints. I have 2 giant clusters surrounded by other aggressive pollinators so perhaps that helps. I totally agreed with Gail- love this plant. I just planted another mint which will probably enlarge by next year. It is also surrounded by asters and other pollinators.

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    Replies
    1. It's a delightful plant and I do love those cute minty flowers.

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    2. I know it's a popular plant with pollinators at the Arboretum here. I don't have any in my garden, but I enjoy watching the pollinators (especially native bees) on it in nature and at the Arb. :)

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  4. That tears it, I'm trying again with mountain mint!

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"Insects are the little things that run the world." Dr. E O Wilson