1. * San Miguel Savory – Clinopodium (Satureja) chandleri
(kline-oh-POE-dee-um CHAND-ler-eye)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: Peninsular Ranges (Orange, Riverside & San Diego Co’s); uncommon on rocky slopes and
canyons in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak & riparian woodlands and valley/foothill grasslands.
herbaceous perennial
mature height: 1-2 ft.
mature width: 1-3 ft.
Shrub-like in dry, sunny places; more creeping/spreading in shadier locations. Attractive, shiny
rounded leaves with crinkly edges. Foliage has fresh, minty aroma when crushed.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms/fruits:
dainty looking.
Blooms Mar-May. Flowers are tiny, white to lavender ‘mint-type’ flowers. Very
Fruits are shiny, dark brown.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as an edging plant or small ground cover.
Also nice in a
container rock garden. Provides as woodsy touch at front of perennial beds or with annual
wildflowers. Nice little addition to a fragrance garden. Fire-retardant ground cover. Dried leaves
can be used for tea (use sparingly) or in potpourri. This plant is quite rare in the wild – on CNPS
rare species list.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native mints and other herbaceous groundcovers.
Attracts: Excellent bee and butterfly plant.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Dappled sun to shade
Any well-drained, including sandy; any local pH
Looks best with weekly summer water in well-drained soils, but is somewhat
drought tolerant.
Benefits from organic mulch such as decomposed leaves
Management:
Easy to grow.
Manage like any mint.
Pinch to encourage branching.
Propagation: from seed: fall or spring; germination may be spotty
by cuttings: semi-softwood
cuttings in summer; divisions in late spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 8, 13, 14
* Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co.
2/12/11
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