Common Name: scarlet monardella
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Zone: 6 to 10
Height: 0.25 to 0.33 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: May to August
Bloom Description: Orange to red
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Leaf: Fragrant, Evergreen
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Best grown in moderately moist to dry, well-draining soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of drought and dry soil conditions once established. Occasional summer irrigation may be required during periods of drought in hot, dry climates. Hardy in Zones 7-10.
'Marian Sampson' is listed as hardy in Zones 6b(-5°F)-10.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Monardella macrantha, commonly called scarlet monardella, red monardella, or hummingbird mint, is a herbaceous perennial subshrub native to chaparral and wooded, montane areas of southern California and northern Baja California. Mature clumps will reach up to 1' tall and spread to fill a 2' area. Will form larger colonies over time. The slender stems are generally low and spreading but can also be more upright and are typically unbranched. Small, evergreen, ovate to lanceolate leaves are held on the stems and can reach up to 1" long. Terminal clusters of orange to red, tubular flowers reaching up to 1.75" long bloom in summer. The leaves and flowers are fragrant. Highly attractive to hummingbirds. A host plant to several species of butterflies including the variable checkerspot, ruddy copper, and western tiger swallowtail.
The genus name Monardella is the diminutive of Monarda, a genus of plants also in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Members of these genera share some characteristics in common, including fragrant foliage and tubular flowers.
The specific epithet macrantha means "large-flowered", in reference to the size of the flowers compared to other species of Monardella.
'Marian Sampson' is a compact, floriferous selection of scarlet monardella that will reach up to 4" tall and spread to fill an 18" area.
Problems
Susceptible to mint rust (Puccinia menthae) and monardella leaf spot (Phyllosticta monardellae). Root or stem rot may occur in poorly drained or overly moist soils. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
'Marian Sampson' offers increased resistance to mint rust compared to the species.
Uses
Rock gardens, border fronts, butterfly and bird gardens. Suitable for xeriscaping and containers.