Coyote mint a tough, fragrant native herb

Bay Area gardeners are gradually coming to know a wider variety of aromatic medicinal plants, and one that should be near the top of that list is Monardella villosa, commonly known as Coyote mint.

Endemic to California, this tough, native herb is found in oak woodlands and dry chaparral, mostly in the northern regions of the state.

Forming a mounding, sometimes spilling 2-by-2-foot subshrub, Monardella features 1 1/2 inch leaves that are soft, lightly fuzzy and grayish-green.

The attractive foliage and pleasing scent would be reason enough to add this native to your herb garden, but Monardella also offers a cloud of showy, 1-inch lavender blooms during the summer.

To encourage new growth and improve appearance after flowering, cut back by one-third.