Modesty

Planting

Plant Modesty in partial shade to full sun in a location with fast, medium, or slow draining soil - it's remarkably adaptable. Space plants according to your desired coverage, keeping in mind this is a low-growing groundcover (under a foot tall). Plant in spring for best establishment, and choose a spot where deer pressure won't be an issue, since while deer-resistant, it's not deer-proof.

After Planting

Water weekly during your first summer to establish the plant, then taper off significantly once established - by year two, this drought-tolerant native needs only about one watering per month in summer at most. Modesty is deciduous and will go dormant in winter, which is normal. The biggest mistake Bay Area gardeners make is overwatering this low-water native; it prefers dry conditions once established and will suffer in soggy soil, so err on the side of less rather than more.

Insects

higWoolly Gomphus

Shelter · Fall

Mycorrhizal associations with Whipplea modesta in coastal scrub habitats; fruiting bodies appear fall through winter

modPolka-dot moth

Larval Host · Spring

Larvae feed on Whipplea modesta foliage in spring through early summer