Monardella spp.
monardellas
Overview
Monardella spp. is a genus of about 40 aromatic annual and perennial herbs and low subshrubs in the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to western North America from British Columbia to Baja California and east to the Rocky Mountains. Plants form mounds or low spreading clumps 6-24 inches (15-60 cm) tall and 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) wide, with small opposite leaves that release a strong minty or oregano-like scent when crushed. Stems are topped in summer by dense, rounded flower heads 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across, each head subtended by a ring of papery bracts and packed with slender tubular flowers in rose-purple, pink, red, or white. The flowers draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds over a long summer season. Most species grow on dry, rocky, or sandy ground in chaparral, woodland, and montane habitats and tolerate heat and drought once established. They are short-lived on heavy, wet soils and decline where winter drainage is poor. Several species are used to brew an aromatic herbal tea, a use reflected in the common name coyote mint.
Native Range
Native to western North America, from British Columbia south to Baja California and east into the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains, in chaparral, dry woodland, and rocky montane slopes.Suggested Uses
Grown in rock gardens, dry borders, gravel plantings, and pollinator and native-plant gardens across the western states. The aromatic foliage and long bloom suit wildlife and herb gardens, and the flowers are used in cut and dried arrangements. Compact species adapt to troughs and containers.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowers from June to September, with each rounded head blooming over several weeks. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds visit the heads throughout summer. Bloom is heaviest in the first half of the season and tapers in dry late summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
rose-purple, pink, red, or whiteFoliage Description
green to gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun on lean, sharply drained sandy or rocky soil with a pH near 6.0-7.5. Established plants are drought tolerant and need only occasional deep watering in summer. Heavy, moist, or poorly drained soil shortens the plant life and invites root rot, especially in winter. A gritty, low-fertility mix suits container culture. Light shearing after the first flush of bloom encourages rebloom and keeps the clump compact. No regular feeding is needed.Pruning
Faded flower heads are sheared off in midsummer to prompt a second flush and tidy the mound. Stems are cut back by about one-third in late winter or early spring to remove old growth. Hard cutting into bare woody stems is avoided, as the subshrubby species are slow to resprout from old wood.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerearly spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons