Russian River Coyote Mint (Monardella)

Monardella villosa ‘Russian River’ (Coyote Mint) is long-blooming, coloring the garden with flowers for several months beginning in mid-summer. The strongly mint-scented evergreen leaves are a treat and give rise to large pink-purple ball-shaped flowers that are darker than is typical for Monardella villosa. The plant is a magnet for all types of bees and butterflies.  This is a small growing shrub that thrives in xeric conditions, likes full sun and grows well in infertile, well drained sandy, rocky or sandy-loam soils. It dislikes heavy clay or clay-loam. Nicely cold hardy to sub-zero winter temperatures. This is an improved selection of a native California Coyote Mint species.  Recommended companion plants include Furman’s Red Sage (Salvia ‘Furman’s Red’), Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum) and Prairie Gayfeather (Liatris punctata). Cold hardy in USDA zones 6-9, it is recommended for fall planting in the warmer winter areas (zones 7-9) only. In zone 6 and cooler, it needs to be spring planted to establish itself with the summer heat before winter. 15-18″ wide x 12-18″ tall.