PLANT FINDER

Other Names:  Hummingbird Trumpet Mint, Mint on Fire

Description:

This California mountain native hugs the ground and will spill over rocks, walls or container edges; bright scarlet tubular flowers in a spectacular show from late spring to frost; a short-lived perennial, but worth it; perfect for xeric conditions

Ornamental Features

Marian Sampson Scarlet Monardella features showy clusters of scarlet tubular flowers with burgundy calyces held atop the stems from late spring to early fall. Its attractive glossy oval leaves remain bluish-green in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Marian Sampson Scarlet Monardella is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting hummingbirds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Marian Sampson Scarlet Monardella is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Marian Sampson Scarlet Monardella will grow to be only 3 inches tall at maturity extending to 5 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 8 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 3 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species.; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Marian Sampson Scarlet Monardella is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.