Family: Lamiaceae
Name: Blephilia ciliata - Downy Wood Mint or Pagoda Plant
Bloom Time: June - August
Flower: Lavender with Purple Spots
Soil Condition: Dry, Average, Moist, Well Drained
Light: Sun to Partial Shade
Height: 12-24" tall by 12-24" wide
Native Range: Eastern United States
Zone: 4 to 8
Belphilia ciliata is a non-aggressive native mint and is a must-have for our bees including bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees, masked bees, little carpenter bees and so many more. Great as a dried flower as the seed heads usually remain all through winter. Ohio Horsemint has a deep taproot which makes it very drought tolerant. The basal leaves are evergreen throughout the winter.
Fun Facts: Aromatic leaves may be steeped to make a mild tea.
Maintenance: Susceptible to powdery mildew. Cut back in late summer to keep it tidy.
Benefits: Nectar source, favorite for bumblebees, moderately deer and rabbit resistant,
Companion Plants: Solidago nemoralis - Gray Goldenrod, Symphyotrichum laeve - Smooth Aster, Bouteloua curtipendula - Side Oats
pics: KMS Native Plants, Missouri Department of Conservation
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