Yerba Buena is a fragrant, evergreen California native ground cover valued for its beauty, toughness, and versatility in shaded gardens. Botanically known as Clinopodium douglasii and formerly Satureja douglasii, this low-growing herb forms a lush mat of rich green, scalloped leaves that stay about 2" tall while spreading up to 6' wide.

An excellent choice for shade gardens, oak understory plantings, woodland edges, hanging baskets, and containers, Yerba Buena ground cover tolerates clay soil, sandy soil, and dry shade better than many ornamental plants. It roots along its stems as it spreads, but does not travel by invasive rhizomes, making it easier to manage in the landscape. Delicate white to pale purple tubular flowers appear from summer through fall, adding seasonal interest.

Plant Clinopodium douglasii in shade to part shade with well-drained soil. While drought-tolerant once established, it looks best with occasional summer water. Deer-resistant, low-maintenance, aromatic, and long-lived, Yerba Buena is a useful native plant for naturalistic gardens and shaded ground cover plantings.