Wikipedia Reference

Growth habit: Shrub (Source: USDA Plants)

Duration (Annual/Perennial): Perennial (Source: USDA Plants)

Family: Lamiaceae

---

Bloom Color: Blue, Violet (Source: wildflower.org)

Bloom Time: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep (Source: wildflower.org)

USA: AZ, CA, NV (Source: wildflower.org)

Native Distribution: Southwestern U.S. (AZ, CA, NV) & adjacent nw. Mex. (Baja California, Sonora) (Source: wildflower.org)

Native Habitat: Dry washes; rocky slopes; canyon walls below 3000 ft (Source: wildflower.org)

Light Requirement: Full Sun, Part Shade (Source: wildflower.org)

Soil Moisture: Dry (Source: wildflower.org)

Soil Description: Sandy, gravelly, well-draining soils. (Source: wildflower.org)

Conditions Comments: Extremely drought and heat tolerant once established. The foliage is highly aromatic and smells like lavender when crushed. It provides special value to native bees and is a major nectar source in the desert. Frost sensitive; may suffer damage below 25°F but typically recovers from the base. (Source: wildflower.org / Native Plant Database)

---

Growing Notes & Observations

Propagation: Responds well to rooting semi-hardwood cuttings under shade cloth, or growing from wild-collected seed sown in well-draining media. Cultivation: Thrives when irrigation mimics wash-margin hydrology — deep, infrequent watering during extreme heat, drying out completely in between. Keep sheltered from heavy winter frost if possible.