Monardella macrantha

Identification

Gallery

Description

A perennial to 1' tall and 2' across. It has large 2" red flower clusters. Native to Monterey Co and San Diego Co to Baja. It is delicate until established. It likes part shade with regular water (1/week), but will tolerate full sun here if mulched heavily. A nice plant in rock garden, has dark green leaves with purple margins. Lightly scented and very formal looking. Expect to lose 1 out of 3 when you plant this as it doesn't always like people. But the other 2 will more than make up for it. The flowers are big enough that the larger butterflies are attracted to them along with the hummingbirds. The hummingbirds risk their lives delivering pollen to this flower. (We have a bunch of bush pilots here that will dive-bomb you if you bother their flower(s). In the Laguna Mountains it was growing under Jeffrey Pines and associated with Amelanchier, Solidago confinis, Achillea lanulosa, Wyethia ovata, and numerous native perennial grasses. Wet in winter, dry in summer. BUT, it did well here for years in a half of wine barrel. It doesn't survive no water for a couple of months.