Category: 2 to 4 ft tall

A Mint In Bloom Up On The Mountain

July 24, 2025

Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum) is in bloom up here, in many places along the road, as I climb the mountain, and in my garden. The word “hoary” in its common name is because of its unusual grayish white coloring.

This mint grows as a bushy plant 2 to 4 feet tall, with many square stems, one indication that it is in the mint (Lamiaceae) family.

Hoary Mountain Mint is popular with many pollinators, including butterflies, moths, honeybees, and some wasps. Like many other mint scented plants, deer and rabbits tend to avoid them, though both deer and rabbits will eat anything if they are hungry enough.

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Aromatic Aster Time

I was thinking that it was about bloom time for the Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) and sure enough this afternoon I came upon a few flowers. Just the beginning.

It’s an herbaceous perennial, native to parts of the eastern and central United States, grows 2 to 4 feet tall. It’s the host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis). Many pollinators seek out the nectar, bees, butterflies and skippers.

Actually the flowers don’t have a scent but rubbing the leaves will give the aroma of balsam.

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