Monardella villosa
coyote mint
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantFragrant (strong)
Native to North America
Overview
Monardella villosa is an aromatic, woody-based perennial in the mint family, forming a low mound 1-2 ft (30-60 cm) tall and 1-3 ft (30-90 cm) wide. The square stems carry opposite, gray-green leaves 0.5-1.5 in (1.5-4 cm) long, covered in soft hairs and releasing a strong mint scent when bruised. From June to September the stems end in dense, rounded flower heads 1-1.5 in (2.5-4 cm) wide, packed with small tubular flowers in shades of rose-purple to lavender above a collar of papery bracts. The blooms draw native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators through summer. The plant grows in chaparral, oak woodland, and on rocky slopes, dying back partly in winter and resprouting from the woody crown. It tolerates drought, heat, and lean soils once established, and declines in wet or heavy ground. The aromatic foliage is generally left alone by deer. It is native to California and adjacent southwestern Oregon. Several regional forms vary in leaf hairiness and flower color, and it is closely related to Monardella odoratissima of higher elevations.
Native Range
Monardella villosa is native to California and southwestern Oregon, growing in chaparral, oak woodland, and on dry rocky slopes from the coast to the inner foothills, mostly below 3,000 ft (900 m).Suggested Uses
Monardella villosa is used in native, pollinator, and low-water gardens, on dry banks, and in rock gardens of the western states. The aromatic leaves are dried for herbal tea, and the summer flowers support bees and butterflies. It combines with other drought-tolerant natives such as manzanita and California fuchsia.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from June to September, peaking in midsummer. The dense terminal heads hold many small tubular flowers that open over several weeks. Bees and butterflies visit steadily while the heads remain in bloom.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
rose-purple to lavenderFoliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Monardella villosa grows in full sun to light shade on sharply drained, rocky or sandy soil and needs only occasional summer water once established. Overwatering and heavy, wet soils shorten its life. It withstands heat and drought and suits unirrigated or low-water plantings within USDA zones 7-10. The woody crown resprouts each spring after partial winter dieback. Cutting back spent stems keeps the mound compact. Lean soil and good airflow reduce fungal problems on the hairy foliage.Pruning
Pruning is done after flowering or in early spring, shearing spent flower stems and trimming the plant back by up to a third to keep it dense. Older woody stems can be removed at the base to renew growth. Light cutting during bloom for cut stems does not harm the plant.Pruning Schedule
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fallearly spring