California yerba santa
Eriodictyon californicum
- Hydrophyllaceae
- Dicot
- Perennial
- Shrub
- ≈ 8.0 ft tall
About California yerba santa
California yerba santa is a wonderful shrub to welcome into your garden. This native beauty produces lovely clusters of small tubular flowers in white or pale purple that bloom over a long season, bringing joy to your landscape and nectar to visiting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The evergreen leaves are aromatic and attractive year-round, adding texture and interest even when flowers aren't present. This plant is genuinely tough and forgiving, asking very little from you once it's established in your garden.
Yerba santa loves sunshine and well-draining soil, so give it a sunny spot where water drains away quickly after rain. Water it regularly while young until it develops a strong root system, then you can ease back considerably. This shrub handles our California heat and drought beautifully once settled in. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, yerba santa is a rewarding plant that will thrive with minimal fussing for years to come.