How to Grow and Care for Catalina Perfume
Learn to grow Catalina Perfume, a resilient perennial valued for its rich fragrance and simple care needs in a sunny, water-wise landscape.
Catalina Perfume, known botanically as Clinopodium chanuttii and also as San Miguel Savory, is a fragrant perennial native to the Channel Islands of California. This resilient plant has gained popularity in water-wise gardening for its aromatic qualities and durable nature. Its low-maintenance needs make it a favored choice for gardeners seeking both sensory appeal and ecological benefits.
Key Plant Characteristics
Catalina Perfume is a low-growing, mounding perennial with a somewhat woody structure. It reaches a height of about one foot and can spread outwards to three feet, forming a dense mat. The plant’s small, oval, gray-green leaves are slightly hairy and are the source of its perfume, a powerful fragrance released when brushed or crushed.
The scent is a complex blend of mint and savory herbs, a trait of its family, Lamiaceae. During spring and summer, it produces small, white to pale lavender flowers.
Growing and Care Guide
Catalina Perfume flourishes in a location that receives full sun. This exposure helps the plant maintain its dense form and enhances the aromatic oils in its leaves. Excellent drainage is the most important factor, as the plant is adapted to rocky soils and will not tolerate waterlogged conditions that cause root rot.
This perennial is drought tolerant once established. During its first year, it benefits from occasional deep watering to encourage a strong root system; after that, its water needs are minimal. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-10 and does not require fertilizer.
Landscaping and Garden Uses
Catalina Perfume’s spreading, mat-forming habit makes it a durable groundcover for suppressing weeds. It is well-suited for rock gardens, where its drought tolerance and preference for sharp drainage allow it to thrive. Planting it along pathways or patio edges is a popular strategy, as brushing past will release its minty-savory scent.
On sloped areas, its root system can aid in erosion control, making it a functional choice for hillsides. The plant also provides ecological benefits. Its flowers are attractive to pollinators like native bees and butterflies, and its aromatic foliage makes it resistant to browsing by deer.
Pruning and Maintenance
Maintaining Catalina Perfume is straightforward, requiring minimal pruning. The goal of trimming is to encourage a compact growth habit and prevent the plant from becoming overly woody or sparse. Pruning also removes any dead or damaged stems, improving air circulation.
The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. This timing allows the plant to recover quickly. An alternative is a light shearing after the main flowering period to tidy the plant’s appearance.