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Monardella villosa – Lamiaceae - ‘Coyote Mint,' 'Mountain Pennyroyal.' - A lovely subshrub native to the extreme climate of rocky river canyons in interior Northern California. It has a deceptively delicate appearance, as its sturdiness and adaptability have proven. The genus Monardella is home to some of the most beguiling aromas to be found in the entire mint family, and Coyote Mint is no exception. The intense spicy lavender aroma of a crushed flower head is likely to be smelled again and again, and the tops of this plant make a good tea.

Coyote Mint flowers in June and July upriver, and in August on the coast, with long-flowering buttons at the end of 8"-20" stems. Its size makes it an excellent rock garden plant. Surprisingly, it has made the transition to the fog belt garden with unexpected grace, being demanding about good exposure and well-drained soil here on the coast, but not much else. In hot interior zones, theses demands are much the same, and it will grow well in rocky, infertile soil that can support little else. It does best with a summer rest from watering. This plant grows Hardy to at least 15º F, probably less.