Mountain mint, a native North American perennial, attracts a wide array of pollinators. Companion planting, the strategic placement of different plant species near each other, enhances mountain mint’s benefits and contributes to a more resilient garden ecosystem.
Benefits of Companion Planting with Mountain Mint
Planting other species alongside mountain mint offers several advantages. Mountain mint effectively draws in a diverse range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, wasps, flies, moths, and beetles. It attracts a high number and wide variety of these beneficial insects, blooming consistently from July through September.
Its strong, aromatic foliage deters common garden pests like deer, rabbits, and voles, protecting more vulnerable plants. Mountain mint also provides abundant nectar and pollen. Certain species can assist in stabilizing soil, particularly in areas prone to erosion.
Selecting Ideal Companion Plants
Suitable companion plants for mountain mint thrive in similar conditions, preferring full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Mountain mint and many compatible plants adapt to various moisture levels, from dry to consistently moist, and tolerate clay.
Consider growth habits, as mountain mint can spread vigorously through underground rhizomes. Companion plants should be robust enough to coexist without being outcompeted for resources. While some mountain mint species are more aggressive, others exhibit a more clumping habit, allowing for greater flexibility. Selecting plants with complementary heights, foliage textures, and bloom times creates a visually appealing and harmonious garden design.
Recommended Mountain Mint Companion Plants
Several plant species pair effectively with mountain mint, enhancing garden aesthetics and ecological function.
Pollinator Attractors
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Offers showy blooms from mid-summer into fall, attracting bees and butterflies.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa): Vibrant orange flowers, particularly for butterflies.
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): Aromatic foliage, attracts bees and butterflies with lavender-pink flowers.
Goldenrod species (Solidago spp.): Highly attractive for late-season pollinator support, especially Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida).
Blazing Star (Liatris spp.): Adds vertical interest and attracts pollinators, including Prairie Blazing Star (L. pycnostachya).
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Cheerful, daisy-like flowers appeal to beneficial insects.
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum): Fragrant leaves and lavender-blue flower spikes attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Structural and Spread Management Companions
Incorporating native grasses helps manage mountain mint’s spread and provides structural balance.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
These grasses are robust and can hold their own against the mint’s vigor. Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.), with its height and ability to attract pollinators, is another strong companion.
Complementary Texture and Bloom Companions
Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginiana): White spires.
Aster species (Symphyotrichum spp.): Fall blooms.
Coreopsis species (e.g., Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata): Bright yellow flowers.
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana): Groundcover.
Phlox species or Threadleaf Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii): Additional texture and color.
Designing Your Companion Garden
When planting, aim for 16 to 20 inches spacing between plants for proper growth and air circulation. Given its height (three to six feet), mountain mint is often best positioned in the middle or back of a garden bed, with shorter companion plants layered in front for visual depth and adequate sunlight. Planting mountain mint in groupings or mass plantings creates a more impactful display.
Mountain mint spreads through rhizomes. While some species are less aggressive, managing this spread is part of garden maintenance. Techniques like installing root barriers or regularly cutting back rhizomes in early spring can contain its growth. Alternatively, planting it alongside other vigorous, spreading plants creates a naturally balanced environment. Once established, mountain mint and its companions are generally low-maintenance, needing consistent moisture during establishment and drought.