Genus: Clinopodium

Common Names: various

Description coming soon.

Distribution: widespread

Clinopodium chilense

Common name(s): Chilean mint bush

Description: semi-evergreen shrub; found on arid slopes in Central Chile. Intensely mint-scented foliage is short and narrow and the slightest disturbance will release its very intense aroma. Blooms pale lilac flowers in summer. Can be partially deciduous in cold winters.

Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Position: full sun and lean, well-draining soil

Uses: ornamental

Winter Hardiness: to 10 F and below

Distribution: Central Chile

Clinopodium douglasii

Common name(s): yerba buena

Description: perennial; A trailing herb that was so common in the bay area of California that the city of San Francisco was originally named Yerba Buena until being changed in 1847. Native from SE Alaska to Northern California. Low, crawling stems with glossy green leaves that release a minty aroma when bruised. Tiny white flowers in spring. Used by many first nations peoples as a beverage and medicinally.

Height: to 5 in. Spread: to 3 ft.

Position: partial shade and well-draining soil

Uses: medicine, culinary- herbal teas, iced teas

Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below

Distribution: West coast of North America from SE Alaska to N. California and inland to Idaho and Montana.

Clinopodium nepeta 'Montrose White'

Common name(s): lesser calamint

Description: perennial; a compact, sterile selection named by Mike Yanny of Johnson’s Nursery in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Aromatic foliage and hundreds of small white flowers constantly blooming from spring until the first hard frost (usually mid November in our area). One of the best pollinator plants in our selection. Flowers sometimes take on a blue sheen in autumn.

Height: to 18 in. Spread: to 18 in.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: ornamental, culinary- in Italian and Corsican cuisine

Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Clinopodium nepeta ex 'Marvelette Blue'

Common name(s): lesser calamint

Description: perennial; 'Marvelette Blue' is a compact selection of C. nepeta with lilac-blue flowers. Aromatic foliage and constantly blooms of tiny lilac-blue flowers from spring until the first hard frost (usually mid November in our area). One of the best pollinator plants in our selection. 

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 18 in.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: ornamental, culinary- in Italian and Corsican cuisine

Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought