* Coyote Mint – Monardella villosa (ssp. subserrata) (mo-nar-DEL-uh vil-OH-suh)

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Native to: Northern CA coast & coastal ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills; dry rocky slopes, ephemeral

drainages, oak woodland, chaparral, mountain forests.

Growth characteristics: perennial (sub-shrub) mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 2-4 ft. Evergreen perennial with many erect square stems, Leaves small, either dark green or furry gray-green,

with a pungent fragrance. Slowly spreading.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms May to August. Many small long-lasting flowers in dense heads.

Flower colors range from lavender, rose-purple, to white. Showy for a native mint.

Uses in the garden: Good in herb gardens, mixed borders and in narrow spaces. Does well on hot dry

slopes and sand dunes. Excellent cascading down slopes or over rock walls. Would look nice in a

container. Plant close to enjoy fragrance and the pollinators it attracts. Has a sweet spicy aroma and a slightly bitter mint-like flavor (can be used for tea). Cultivars: 'Russian River' – slightly hairy.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native mints.

Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat. Nectar attracts hummingbirds and a wide range of butterflies

including Blue butterflies, Western Tiger Swallowtail & CA Dogface.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part-shade

Soil Light to medium texture – sandy is probably best. Well-drained.

Water Prefers a moist but well-drained sandy soil. Don’t over-water, which will cause it to

become leggy and decrease it’s lifespan.

Fertilizer None needed

Other Organic mulch fine

Management: Shear about 1/3 of volume in fall/winter to keep it compact. Reseeds. Easy.

Propagation: from seed: in pots or ground by cuttings: semi-softwood in summer; divisions in winter.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 8, 11, 13, 14, 19, 28 2/14/11 * CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project SOUND

Monardella villosa

Coyote mint