california native flora

Monardella Odoratissima – Mountain Pennyroyal

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Mountain Pennyroyal, as the common name suggests, is a California native plant found naturally in higher elevations. More likely to be growing in forests more than 2000′ above sea level, it may not be well suited to our Southern California altitude of just 150′. It’s place in our garden is purely experimental – it has a fantastic reputation as a butterfly plant so we wanted to try it out.

Monardella Odoratissima is a low growing perennial which will only get to 1′ foot tall, spreading up to 3′. The flower stalks can be a little taller and boast pretty lavender colored blooms from spring through summer. In a suitable climate it does well in garden conditions, tolerating a little extra summer water and full sun. It also grows well in a container. Hummingbirds like the flowers as much as butterflies. It is a very fragrant plant so we have placed it between some similarly perfumed sages.