Mountain Beebalm in the Landscape

Monardella odoratissima

Description

This mound-forming perennial is typically seen in higher elevations in the interior West. The lavender or rose-purple flowers are attractive to insects, especially bees and butterflies. In the mint family, its stems are sturdy and erect, and it emits a fragrant aroma of mint when brushed. This plant is easy to establish and maintain in Intermountain West landscapes and is perfect for rock gardens.

Cultural Requirements

Native Habitat: Typically in higher elevation, rocky areas at 6,000 to 11,000 feet.
Soil: Dry, rocky or sandy well drained
Cold: Tolerance Zones 3 - 8
Drought Tolerance: Medium; water one time per month in most Utah landscapes.
Salt: Tolerance Unknown
Sun/Shade Preference: Full sun to part shade
Propagation: From seed, stem cuttings, or division
Maintenance: Clip off spent flowers forappearance and repeated bloom;prune lightly in fall for a more compact appearance.
Problems: No known cultural problems

Landscape Value

Use in the Landscape: Borders, accents, rock gardens, ground cover
Foliage: Glossy, ovate leaves oppositely arranged on stems; vary in color from dark green to blue-green
Flowers: Showy, lavender or rose-purple inflorescence (cluster of flowers) arranged in a flower head
Color: May - June
Fruit (seedheads): Smooth, brown nutlets (4)
Form: Mounded, sprawling
Texture: Fine
Ultimate Size: 1 foot tall x 2 feet wide
Rate of Growth: Fast; blooms in the first year.
Plant Community: Subalpine, montane, foothills
Availability: “Utah’s Choice” selection; (visit http://www.utahschoice.org/natives/wheretobuy for more information).
Cultivars: None of ornamental value

Propagation

Cold-moist stratify seed for up to 90 days. Germinate in a soil-less, peat-based mix at a depth of ¼ inch. Fresh seed may not need cold-stratification to germinate. Plant can be propagated from stem cuttings. Divide plants every 3 to 5 years, as needed.

Additional Photos

References

Bartow, Amy. 2008. Propagation protocol for production of Monardella odoratissima Benth. seeds; USDA NRCS - Corvallis Plant Materials Center, Corvallis, In: Native Plant Network. URL: http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org (accessed 3 January 2009). Moscow (ID): University of Idaho, College of Natural Resources, Forest Research Nursery.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (NPIN). 2008. URL: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MOOD
Mee, W., J. Barnes, R. Kjelgren, R. Sutton, T. Cerny, and C. Johnson. 2003. Waterwise: Native Plants for Intermountain Landscapes. Utah State University Press, Logan, UT.
Utah Water-wise Plants (Utah Division of Water Resources). 2008. URL: http://www.waterwiseplants.utah.gov

Published December 2009
Utah State University Extension
Peer-reviewed fact sheet

Download PDF

Authors

Heidi Kratsch, Extension Ornamental Horticulture Specialist
Graham Hunter, Research Associate, Center for Water Efficient Landscaping

Related Research

Growing Chrysanthemums in the Home Garden

The plants are easy to grow and can be grown throughout the United States. Even without care, they usually produce flowers. However, neglected mums may have weak branches, yellowish leaves, and only a few small flowers.

Growing Iris

Garden irises are hardy, long-lived perennials that need a minimum of care. They are an established “backbone” of home gardens because they bloom when few other plants do—after spring-flowering bulbs and before peonies, delphinium and phlox.

How to Grow English Lavender in Your Garden

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolias) thrives in full sun, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5-7.5. Grow in full sun. Climates suitable for lavender range from zones 5 to 10 on the USDA hardiness scale. It does not perform well in wet or water-logged