Yerba Buena Care

Yerba Buena, satureja douglasii (syn. clinopodium douglasii) is a creeping flat perennial that can spread to 3' but is easily held to 1'. Yerba Buena is found in woods near the coast and coast ranges from Los Angeles to British Columbia where it does well in shade. Yerba Buena usually grows in shade as an understory plant, usually associated with trees like oaks (Quercus), bays (Umbellularia californica) and Madrones (Arbutus menziesii). Some companion plants are Fragaria californica, Rubus ursinus, and Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum.Yerba Buena's leaves are used for a refreshing tea. A good ground cover without being aggressive, easy to keep small. The stems grow across the ground not with rhizomes. This species will survive well on as little as 15" of rainfall, but in low rainfall areas looks better with occasional rinsing of foliage (simulates fog drip occurring in its native range). In its native range rainfall can occur a good portion of the year and can total up to 70". Receives a good portion of its moisture as summer fog drip.