Monardella macrantha ssp. macrantha ‘Marian Sampson’ A. Gray
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Pacific Horticulture (if you are interested in gardening you should subscribe to this wonderful quarterly magazine) recently started a program to publicize little-known horticultural gems. Through this program I’ve had the opportunity to obtain Deppea splendens (a former native of Mexico, now extinct in the wild), Trochetiopsis ebenus (from St. Helena in the middle of nowhere in the south Atlantic), Lotus crassifolius v. otayensis (from San Diego county in California) and Monardella macrantha ssp. macrantha ‘Marian Sampson’. The Deppea, Trochetiopsis and Lotus have succumbed to my harsh greenhouse conditions. Still surviving, a surprise, is the Monardella, a plant more people outside of California should try. Granted, in most locations in Arkansas the plant won’t survive, but if it does the rewards are many.
From scrambling 4-6" stems in spring emerge clusters of tubular red-orange flowers. Plants begin to flower in March and continue into early summer. A large plant is a stunning sight in full bloom. Hummingbirds also appreciate your efforts growing this plant. During summer heat the plants slow dramatically in growth. Things improve in the fall as the weather cools then slow again in winter. Greenhouse plants really take off in late January; numerous shoots appear, even from the drainage holes of the pots. To grow this plant excellent drainage is required. I use lots of perlite in the mix. If provided good drainage the plants grow rapidly and attractively. The leaves are dark green and the stems are purple. Both stems and leaves are aromatic when brushed or crushed. Cuttings taken in winter root readily and flower the following spring.
In California this species is reputed to be hardy to 0, but I suspect 0 and dry is different than 0 and wet. A single plant has survived through 3 winters in Arkansas. It is situated in a bed that receives perfect drainage. The plant has remained alive, but each year I only see one or two flowers, so it is probably not worth the effort.