The Perennial Plant Association recently named clustered mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) as its 2025 Perennial Plant of the Year, and we at the SBG heartily concur!
Arguably the most attractive of the mountain mints, the finely-textured, dark green leaves of clustered mountain mint take on a frosted appearance near the delicate blooms. Like other members of its family, when in full flower, it’s abuzz with a plethora of pollinators including native bees, wasps, flies, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Research has found mountain mint to be one of the most beneficial plants for supporting our pollinator pals, so clustered mountain mint is a “must have” for the pollinator garden. And thanks to its minty-fresh foliage, it’s unattractive to deer and rabbits.
The PPA’s Perennial Plant of the Year program was begun in 1990 to highlight a perennial that stands out among its competitors. Those selected for the honor are low-maintenance plants that are suitable for a wide range of growing conditions, have multi-season interest and are relatively pest/disease-free. Why not include it in your 2025 garden?