Hyptis emoryi - Desert Lavender

Description

An evergreen shrub 3' -10' high, of many erect slender branches with fragrant grey foliage. It has a showy bloom with clusters of small violet flowers. Desert Lavender is common in washes and canyons below 3000' in creosote bush scrub of the southern deserts. It requires good drainage and responds well to a litte supplemental summer water. It may die back to the ground in severe freezes, but often resprouts. Cutting back to the ground is useful to rejuvenate the plant.