Hairy Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum )
pik-NAN-theh-mum verticillatum variety pilosum

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-Forming, Spreading by Rhizomes in the Lamiaceae Family
A shade-tolerant mountain mint with a silvery, dew-catching sheen from the fine hairs covering its leaves and stems.

Hairy Mountain Mint is covered in fine, downy hairs that give the whole plant a silvery cast, especially noticeable with morning dew. Clumping, upright growth spreads gradually by rhizomes, topped from midsummer into fall with white flower clusters often speckled with fine purple dots. It tolerates more shade than many of its relatives, though it blooms most heavily in full sun.

Pros

  • More shade-tolerant than most mountain mints
  • Fine hairs give an attractive silvery sheen to foliage and stems
  • Long midsummer-to-fall bloom
  • Deer resistant and a strong pollinator draw

Cons

  • Loses foliage and declines during extended dry spells—needs reliably moist soil
  • Considered rare or declining in parts of its native range
Why Like Notably more shade-tolerant than most mountain mints, and considered rare, threatened, or extirpated in several states (including Maryland, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee), making it a worthwhile choice for gardeners wanting to support a regionally uncommon native.
Highlights
  • Silvery, downy foliage and stems
  • Tolerates more shade than most mountain mints
  • Considered rare or declining in several states
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 36 inches tall. 3 - 4 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Colorful Foliage, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Dry, For a Shady Spot, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Illinois Native, Low Maintenance, Medium, Native to North America, Non-Allergenic, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial
Bloom Period July to September
Flower Color
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 04/13 - 09/20
2024 : 05/01 - 09/21
2023 : 07/06 - 09/30

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!


No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!