Monardella odoratissima, Mountain coyote mint

Mountain Coyote Mint

A California native perennial herb.  This can reach up to one foot high with grey green leaves and light purple flower clusters that boom in the summer.   This plant smells like a minty toothpaste and was used by Spanish as cure for sore throats.  Plant in paths or in front of larger shrubs where their fragrance can be appreciated and butterflies can be observed.  It goes deciduous in the summer. 

Plant with:  Eriogonum fasciculatum (California Buckwheat), Platanus racemosa (sycamore), Artemisia californica (California Sagebrush), Baccharis sarothroides (coyotebush), and Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak). It the garden it can be used with any other chaparral or sage scrub plants that need similar soil and water conditions.

- Plant in full sun to light shade

- Best in well-drained soil, does not need irrigation

- Drought tolerant

- Attracts hummingbirds, birds, bees, and butterflies

- Hardy up to 25 degrees

-Native to California