Like many members of the Lamiaceae family, the closely related Mountain Mints (Pycnanthemum spp.) and Bee Balms (Monarda spp.) have the characteristic aromatic foliage, square stems, and two-lipped tubular flowers. They are exceptional pollinator plants, long blooming, and alive with insect movement throughout their long blooming season. They are loved by a diverse group of pollinators, from bees, beetles and hummingbirds to beneficial wasps. They also provide habitat for smaller, stem-nesting bees and first-year stalks should therefore be left standing throughout their first two winters. They are beautiful additions to the prairie or meadow garden, and are deer and rabbit resistant.

Both Mountain mints and Bee Balms spread easily through shallow, rhizomatous roots, but expanding clumps can easily be reduced every 2-3 years as desired. They are best grown in areas where they will have room to spread. They’re easy to grow in a variety of soils/conditions with few diseases or pests- adaptable, resilient, native plants for our Kingston and area gardens.  Some recommended companions for both species: Anise Hyssop, Yarrows, Threadleaf Bluestar, Tickseeds, Wild Strawberry, Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflowers, Little Bluestem, Switch Grass, and Side-oats Grama.

Mountain Mints (Pycnanthemem spp.)

Mountain mints can be grown in full sun to part shade, and include narrow-leafed and broad-leafed species recommended for this area. Despite the name, they grow in meadows, along the edge of woodlands, and in moist, well-drained areas along waterways. Their vigorous roots make them useful for eroding slopes, and outcompeting weeds in new plantings

Two narrow-leafed species native to Eastern Ontario are Virginia Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) and Narrowleaf Mountain Mint (P. tenuifolium). Virginia Mountain Mint prefers moister areas, but will tolerate drier soil, and, once established, is drought tolerant. Narrowleaf Mountain Mint prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Both are popular tea plants. They are easily propagated from seed, root division, and stem cuttings.

Native to much of Eastern North America, Clustered or Blunt Mountain Mint (P. muticum) is a stunning addition to any garden. Named perennial plant of 2025 by the Perennial Plant Association in the US, this broad-leafed Mountain Mint blooms from midsummer into fall, its silvery bracts beneath tiny white flowers contrasting beautifully with other native forbs. In a 2013 Penn State Extension study testing 86 native species and cultivars, Clustered (Blunt) Mountain Mint attracted the greatest number (4X) and most diverse group of pollinators of all the plants tested.

Bee Balms (Monarda spp.)

Most available Bee Balms in Ontario are the Eastern North American species Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) and Scarlet Bee Balm ( M. didyma) and their cultivars. While the former tolerates a drier soil in full sun to part shade, Scarlet Bee Balm requires a moister, well-drained soil. Both are highly susceptible to powdery mildew, especially in prolonged humid weather. While Monarda bradburiana is not native in our area, it has excellent powdery mildew resistance, and is shorter and more suitable for planting in areas where sight lines are a concern. All species are fabulous pollinator plants, attracting a diversity of insects, moths, and butterflies.

If you’re looking for a hardy, disease-resistant cultivar, consult the Mount Cuba report on the Bee Balm trial results (40 species and cultivars) at Mt. Cuba Center | Monarda – Mt. Cuba Center .

A third species native to Ontario is Spotted Bee Balm (M. punctata). Unlike the other species which have a flower head at the end of each stem, Spotted Bee Balm has a series of stacked flowers above leafy, pale pink bracts from mid-stem to the top. It is an unusual, beautiful, short-lived species that attracts a variety of pollinators, especially beneficial wasps. Spotted Bee Balm prefers full sun in sandy, well-drained soil. It is susceptible to late season die-back which can be camouflaged when intermingled with other perennials.