Virginia Mountain Mint

Mountain mints are one of the best plants for pollinators. Swarms of bees, wasps, flies, butterflies and beetles cover the plant during its monthlong bloom in mid-summer. White-green foliage and flowers are strongly mint-scented. Can spread, especially when there are still open spaces in an establishing garden. Slipping a shovel around the base of the plant in early spring will sever new runners and help control spread. May flop in the first few years but should remain upright after the garden fills in. Flopping can be reduced by an early summer shop Chelsea chop.

• Consider controlling seedlings and dividing well-established plants if spread becomes an issue