Gardening information for Southern Mountain Monardella - Monardella autralis.

1. *Southern mountain monardella – Monardella australis (mon-ar-DEL-uh aw-STRAY-lis)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: San Gabriel, San Bernardino & San Jacinto Ranges of S. CA; on rocky slopes and
openings in Red fir forest and Yellow pine forest, at elevations from 4,500-10,000 ft.
Growth characteristics: part-woody perennial mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
Delicate perennial with wand-like stems; becoming mounded with age. Leaves sparse, light- to
gray-green, linear to ovate, with intense, minty aroma (one of the best for our native mints).
Blooms/fruits: Blooms late spring-summer, often from June to August in gardens. Flowers
clustered in ball-like clusters around the stems. Flower color pastel pink or lavender – very pretty in
a delicate way. Flowers are a real butterfly attractant!
Uses in the garden: Can be used as a groundcover or in a perennial bed with other native grasses,
perennials and shrubs. Good choice for butterfly garden, herb garden – even around the edges of a
vegetable garden. Good candidate for large containers. Use foliage for aromatic tea, flavoring.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native mints.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant for pollinators, butterflies (many species): provides cover and seeds for food for
birds, lizards, etc.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade (probably best in many gardens).
Soil Most well-drained soils, from sandy to clay. Most local pH except very alkali.
Water Occasional summer water (Water Zone 2 – 2-4 times per month).
Fertilizer Half-strength in containers; otherwise not needed.
Other Inorganic or thin organic mulch.
Management: Prune back by 1/3 each year in summer or fall. Short-lived (3-5 years); propagate
replacements from seed or cuttings.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed, ?winter by cuttings/layering: try – both should work.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 13, 14 7/1/16
* California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND