I grew some from seed last winter. They came up easily but now that they're blooming I'm underwhelmed. They just don't look as showy as some others I saw for sale last year, the leaves don't seem as silver. I can't say for sure what would work best for you, I had the seeds in paper towels in the fridge for a few weeks then planted them, you could just plant them as soon as the seed heads start to dry, or winter sow, or spring sow..... or just divide in spring, that's probably the easiest! Here's mine. I don't have a bigger picture, this was more an attempt at a bug shot.

Congrats, congrats, Liz, although I thought I'd be congratulating you on caterpillars! It's interesting that you posted about mountain mint. My elevation is about 120', with just slight 'risings' in the earth, can't be described as hills even, just enough ups and downs to have creeks and rivers instead of marshes. Much to my surprise, mountain mint grows on some of the dry soils right down the road from here! So I ordered some mountain mint from Sunlight Gardens, which I've planted up close to the main road on a dry, sunny site. I should have researched mountain mint before ordering - there are many types of mountain mint. Among many others, there is P. muticum, like you've got, and the type that grows here is P. albescens. The type Sunlight Garden sent is P. incanum, the type that grows in Tennessee. The leaves of P. incanum smell so good I like to visit the plant and rub the leaves periodically. I'm hoping that this type will thrive here (so far it's doing well, but then summer heat isn't here yet) but if not, I'll have to try to get roadside seeds or sneak around and dig some from a vacant lot. I was really surprised to find out that any type of 'mountain' mint grows here, but it even grows on the Coast - it's poorly named! I remember seeing a lot of bees on the locals, no butterflies, but I figure if it's appealing to bees, butterflies will probably like it, too. In the mean time, I'll just keep smelling the one I ordered! :) Sherry

I don't know if the particular plant you are looking for has any synonyms, and I don't know where you are located in PA, but Redbud Native Nursery, located in Edgemont (right outside of Media) has two Pycnanthemums listed on the plant list: P. muticum (mountain mint) and P. tenuifolium (narrow-leaf mint). I also know that she is constantly updating her stock, based on client's demands/suggestions... Good luck. Jenny

Thanks maifleur. It's a good reminder to be careful of common names. The Ladybird Johnson site has broad leaved mint listed as at least in the mint family. I think based on some feedback on the Butterfly Gardening Forum, I will try broad leaved mint or Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (slender mountain mint) which somebody there recommended. I think I actually like the look of that better, but broad leaved mint seems to be native to conditions similar to my yard's. -- Lori