Monardella villosa ‘Russian River’ (Russian River Coyote Mint)

Jan 14

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Monardella villosa ‘Russian River’
Russian River Coyote Mint

Characteristics

Height: 2 ft

Width: 3 ft

Hardiness: Very Hardy

Natural Setting: Selected for the garden. Introduced by Cal Flora Nursery from Sonoma County (Russian River). Rocky slopes, oak woodland, chaparral, montane forest; below 4,300'

Plant Type: Perennial

Dormancy: Evergreen, Summer Semi-Deciduous

Form: Rounded

Growth Rate: Slow

Flower Season: Spring-Summer

Soil: Fast Draining-Moderate Draining

Sun Exposure: Partial shade - Full sun

Water Requirements: Low once established

Cold Tolerance: 15 degrees F

Overview

A natural selection from the Russian River that is more garden tolerant than the straight species, Monardella villosa. Summer blooms entice many butterflies and bees! It has fragrant mint scented foliage.

Care & Maintenance

Plant in full sun to part shade when planted coastally and part shade when planted inland. A little summer irrigation helps maintain its appearance but make sure it has good drainage. Deadhead spent blooms and cut back lightly in fall or winter in order to prevent it from getting woody.

Uses

Can be used as an insect repellant.¹² An excellent native plant for dry perennial gardens, butterfly gardens, meadows, or rock gardens, it also serves as a small-scale ground cover along paths, cascades beautifully down slopes and over walls.

History

This plant was selected by California Flora Nursery back in 1992 from a specimen that grew near the Russian River in Northern California. The site where this specimen grew gets inundated with water in the winter and that is perhaps why this selection is more irrigation tolerant.