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Yerba Buena

Clinopodium douglasii

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

part shade, full shade

Water

moderate

Soil

moist, humus-rich, well-drained

Size

0–0ft tall , 1–3ft wide

Bloom

Apr-Sep · white

Foliage

Evergreen

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Fragrant

Yes

Edible

Leaves brewed as tea; used fresh or dried for minty herbal beverage

Native Range

Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Baja California

Tiny white tubular flowers; trailing aromatic stems

Fragrant minty groundcover; San Francisco's original name; makes pleasant tea

Care Guide

Planting

Plant Yerba Buena in partial to full shade - think under trees or in shady corners of your garden. It's adaptable to most soils as long as drainage is good, so amend heavy clay with compost if needed. Space plants about 12 inches apart if you're using it as a groundcover; it will spread and root itself as it creeps outward. Plant in spring or fall to give it time to establish before summer heat.

After Planting

Water moderately during the first growing season to help it establish, then taper back once it's settled in - by summer of year two, you should only need to water about once a week during dry spells. Pinch back stems occasionally to encourage denser, mat-forming growth, especially in the first year. The #1 mistake is overwatering: Yerba Buena is drought-tolerant once established, and soggy soil will rot it out faster than anything else. It's evergreen and low-maintenance, so after the first year, you can mostly let it do its thing.

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