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| Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae incarnata) feeding on Coyote mint (Monardella villosa) |
It’s only natural to think about
pollinator plants in July; so many pollinators – including the showy butterflies
and moths – are active right now! Summer
is an excellent time to evaluate the habitat value of your garden and consider
new plants for fall planting (more on that topic later this month). Some of our
best native pollinator plants are in the Mint family. And a particularly charming one, the Coyote
mint, is blooming right now in Mother Nature’s Garden of Health.
The genus name ‘Monardella’ honors the Spanish
physician/botanist Nicolás Bautista Monardes (1493-1588). Monardes was interested in the medicinal uses
of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern plants, and wrote several books on these
topics. He did not, alas, ever see a Monardella; but we’re certain he would
have enjoyed learning about them!
At least 30 species of Monardella are native to California. The
taxonomy of this group is still under active revision, so the final number may
be higher or lower. While some are
annuals, more (about two-thirds) are perennials and many are locally endemic
(grow in a limited geographic area). Many
are rare or endangered in the wild, but a few species are now grown in
California gardens. Among the latter, Monardella villosa (including its
sub-species and cultivars) is probably the most widely used. The Narrowleaf/Flaxleaf monardella (Monardella linoides) and Mountain
monardella (Monardella odoratissima) are also available
from native plant nurseries and planted in S. California gardens.
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| Coyote mint (Monardella villosa) in Mother Nature's Garden of Health |
The Monardellas are native to
western North America, from British Columbia, Canada to northern Mexico. Most are aromatic – some with a strong minty
aroma – and most are used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Coyote mint (Monardella villosa) is native to Central and Northern California and
southern Oregon. Four sub-species are currently recognized (Monardella
villosa ssp. franciscana; M. villosa ssp. globosa; M. villosa ssp. obispoensis; and M. villosa
ssp. villosa). The species grows on dry, rocky slopes in the
coastal mountain ranges and western Sierras.
It can still be found at elevations of about 1000 meters or lower (3000
ft or so), primarily in chaparral, oak woodlands and forest openings.
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| One year old Coyote mint (Monardella villosa) plant |
While the sub-species vary in
their characteristics, all are perennials (or half-woody sub-shrubs) with a
sprawling to mounded shape, 1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m.) tall and wide. The many thin
stems are square in cross-section (typical of Mints) and may be woody at the
base. The overall shape of the plant
depends somewhat on light, water and whether the plant is browsed or pruned
back in fall. Yearly pruning encourages
a full, mounded shape.
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| Close-up of foliage - Coyote mint (Monardella villosa) |
The leaves are medium green
(‘mint green’) to gray-green, generally small (several cm. or less than 1 inch)
and either rounded or lance-shaped. The foliage has a strong, minty aroma (some
say it smells like toothpaste) particularly on hot, dry days. As seen in the photograph above, the leaves
arise from the axils (branching points), a characteristic of the Mints. The foliage is usually hairy and the leaves are
stress-deciduous (normally dropped in dry conditions). Occasional water can prolong leaf-retention
in the summer.
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| Flowers of Coyote mint (Monardella villosa) in tight clusters. Note Skipper butterfly. |
Monardella flowers are usually
quite showy and Monardella villosa is
no exception. The species flowers in
summer – commonly June through July or August with a little water. The flowers are clustered in tight,
ball-like clusters along the stem, another good hint that this plant is a Mint. Flower color ranges from pale lavender to a
darker purple or magenta; petals sometimes have darker blotches. The individual flowers (see below) have
narrow petals that are fused at the base and anthers (male sex organs) that
extend beyond the petals to promote pollination.
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| Close-up of flowers - Coyote mint (Monardella villosa) |
In general, Monardellas like
sunshine and well-drained soils. But in
Southern California, particularly away from the coast, they may prefer some
shade. If your garden is hot, provide a
little afternoon shade.
We’ve grown Monardella villosa in both sandy and clay soils. The trick is to limit summer water to 1-2
times per month, preferably given at times when the temperatures are cooler. Coyote mint is more tolerant of irrigation
than many Monardellas; but it does hail from rather dry conditions and really
dislikes excessive winter water. If you
garden in clay, consider situating this mint on a slope or small berm. Benign neglect – not irrigation – is best
for a long, healthy life.
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| 'Russian River' Coyote mint (Monardella villosa 'Russian River') |
One cultivar that does well in
local gardens is Monardella villosa
‘Russian River’. This lush-looking
cultivar from Sonoma County (see above) was introduced to the horticultural trade by Cal Flora
Nursery. The dark green foliage and
bright magenta flowers make this plant a showy addition to the garden. Growing 1-2 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide,
‘Russian River’ tolerates sun/part-shade and occasional water. As seen below, it looks more like a
groundcover than the straight species usually available in S. California
nurseries.
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| Flowers of 'Russian River' Coyote mint (Monardella villosa 'Russian River') are particularly lovely. |
Coyote mint looks best with yearly fall
pruning. Remove about 1/3 of each
stem/branch in the fall, after flowering has ceased. Plants will grow new leaves and side branches
with the winter rains, producing a nice, bushy shape. Remove the spent flowers (deadhead) as they
occur to prolong flowering or allow the old flowers remain until fall. Birds will happily eat the seeds; the plants
may also naturally re-seed.
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| 'Russian River' Coyote mint (Monardella villosa 'Russian River') in native plant garden Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance CA. |
So, why consider adding Coyote mint to your
garden? First and foremost, it attracts
a wide range of butterflies. From the
larger Western Tiger Swallowtail, Gulf Fritillary and Mourning Cloak to the
smaller Blues and Skippers – all find the flowers simply irresistible. You can’t do much better than Coyote mint for
a reliable ‘butterfly magnet’. The
flowers also attract other pollinators including native bees and hummingbirds. If you want a garden full of action, add a
Coyote mint or two.
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| Umber Skipper feeding on Coyote mint (Monardella villosa) flowers |
A second good reason to plant Coyote mint is for
its culinary and medicinal uses. This is
not one of the major medicinal mints; however an infusion (tea) can be used to settle
an upset stomach, and an infusion or a salve made from leaves is used for
respiratory complaints. The leaves and
herbaceous stems can be used fresh or dry in recipes calling for mint. The flavor is clean and fresh – and definitely
minty! The foliage makes a delicious tea,
particularly when ‘brewed’ as a sun tea. The flavor of this mint changes if exposed to
high temperatures. Best to steep your
tea in cool water – or in the sun.
A third reason to consider Coyote mint is its
attractive foliage and lovely flowers.
Combine Monardella villosa with other
plants that enjoy relatively dry conditions – for example the native
Salvias. It provides color during the
hot summer, when Salvias are dormant.
The ‘Russian River’ cultivar makes a nice groundcover on slopes and
under tall trees. It also looks
charming cascading over a wall. Consider
planting Coyote mint in an herb garden or in dry areas near the vegetable
garden to attract pollinators. Or plant
a mixed perennial bed with California fuschia (Epilobium canum), the Grindelias, Common yarrrow (Achillea millefolia) and Asters (Aster species and Symphyotrichum chilense) for a long-blooming butterfly show.
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| 'Russian River' Coyote mint (Monardella villosa 'Russian River') in home garden, Redondo Beach, CA. |
In summary, Coyote mint is a
plant with habitat, culinary, medicinal and aesthetic value. It is a good addition to water-wise
California gardens and a delight to behold.
We hope you’ll consider adding Monardella
villosa to your own home garden.
For plant information sheets on other native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html
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We welcome your comments (below). You can also send your native plant gardening
questions to: mothernaturesbackyard10@gmail.com
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