scarbowcow I've never heard of this, and don't know how it would thrive in central Europe (if I could get the seeds), but your article almost made me smell the plant as I was reading. Most intriguing and attractive.

Benjamin Vogt Scarbowcow -- I urge you to find a native plant similar to this, at all possible. I doubt this mountain mint is native to central Europe. The importance of native plants is that they sustain native populations of wildlife, especially insects, which are the base of the food chain for many animals and provide key pollination for plants (songbirds are on the decline globally as native habitat is lost, and rely almost solely on insects to feed their young). I'm sure there must be lots of options for your region, though I'm unfamiliar with your area or the horticultural resources you'd need to find. If you move to the American Great Plains, I can hook you up, though! :)

Lynn Yenkey Thank you! I am planning a hell strip garden on the South Side of Chicago, and wouldn't have thought of this but it just might work. When in upstate NY, I coveted P. muticum, but when I finally got one, it didn't do much, even in full sun (in well-amended topsoil over clay). P. pilosum did better for me in a sun bed meant to need little watering or care. How tall will this get? I gotta keep a view open for the drivers...thanks again. Lynn from Sin City to Slaterville blog, and missing the hills and sticks of NY something fierce.

Benjamin Vogt It's about 2' tall. And a behaved plant. A hell strip may or may not work--let us know!

xenasmom Where do I find seeds? Would this grown in Central PA?

Benjamin Vogt Xenasmom, according to the USDA database, this species of mountain mint is native to PA (and further east). I'd first suggest googling seed and plant sources for your city and region--it's always best to find nearby sources of seed to keep genetic purity in the local environment. I know my university extension and hort program have native plant sales, and I'm sure there must be nurseries near you that have natives. If those don't work, Prairie Moon Nursery (MN) and Prairie Nursery (WI) should have this plant in seed or potted up.

hillonthehouse In the mountains of North Carolina we have Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum), which is my favorite. Our wild volunteers bloom lavender pink and the leaves are dusted with silver - a very pretty combination. Sometimes even the leaves turn pinkish gray. It can get tall and leggy and is very prolific in our rocky soil. But I can't help but to crush some leaves for the fragrance as I walk by, and, as you say, they're covered with all kinds of insects including butterflies and moths.

mollythecollie Would this grow in the Pacific Northwest? or would it be considered an invasive plant there, since it can easily be grown from the seeds. Thank you.

Benjamin Vogt Molly, it's not native to the pnw, so I would not plant it. Local insect species will not be adapted to it -- I am a staunch advocate for native plants in your region. For local species guides I'd suggest horticultural extensions at local public universities, and check out the Pollinator Partnership which has regional native plant guides that benefit local wildlife and create quite a show for you.

mollythecollie Thank You Benjamin. I will check out the Pollinator Partnership. I definitely do not want to grow anything that is not native to this area. Just added the website to my favorites. I had never heard of them before. Thank you again.

acburke Xenasmom, Edge of the Woods Nursery about 10 miles from Allentown, PA specializes in plants native to PA. Here is the web address: www.edgeofthewoodsnursery.com. I believe I saw mountain mint there. If not, they can probably tell you where to get it.

mariedmorrison I live in a northwest suburb of Chicago and I have a patch of Mountain Mint by my vegetable garden. I want to give a small warning to keep an eye on this mint. It has strong, mildly aggressive roots that will spread. It is not what I would call invasive but after a few years it can become a large clump. That being said, I am happy that I have this plant. Pollinators LOVE it! I just keep an eye on the clump by root pruning and dead heading before winter.