Modesty
Whipplea modesta
Care
part shade, full sun
low
Fast, Medium, Slow; Adaptable.
0–0ft tall , 2–2ft wide
Mar-May
Deciduous
Resistant
Friendly
Redwood region of coastal northwestern California from Humboldt County southward, below 2000 ft in redwood and mixed evergreen forest.
Care Guide
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.
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
Polka-dot moth listed under California ESA
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Pathogenic oomycete specific to Whipplea modesta; impacts plant vigor and foliage quality
Mycorrhizal associations with Whipplea modesta in coastal scrub habitats; fruiting bodies appear fall through winter
Larvae feed on Whipplea modesta foliage in spring through early summer
Spring and early summer infections on foliage; reduces plant photosynthetic capacity
Larvae utilize Whipplea modesta as host plant during spring feeding period