Clinopodium Hybrid
Clinopodium georgianum hybrid 'Desi Arnez'
Pickup available at Aiken Nursery
Usually ready in 2-4 days
'Desi Arnez' (Clinopodium georgianum hybrid) turned up as a chance seedling in the garden of Robert Mackintosh, a cross of uncertain parentage that Woodlanders judged worth keeping and worth introducing. The likeliest account is a quiet romance between Georgia savory (Clinopodium georgianum) and a neighboring false rosemary (Conradina), two southeastern natives that seldom bother to cross the line between their genera. Botanists who keep their Latin tidy now file the result under the bigeneric name ×Clinadina, which is roughly how the field admits it never saw the match coming.
The plant wears narrow, aromatic, evergreen leaves close along upright woody stems, greener and a shade broader than true Conradina, crushing to clean peppermint as you pass. The habit is improbably tidy for a foundling, holding a neat eighteen inches or so without being asked. In fall, soft pink flowers open the length of the stems.
They want fast-draining soil and a spot in sun to light shade. Like both parents they shrug off drought, but they forgive a wetter winter than most Conradina will sit through, which is part of why this one travels so easily from the sandhills into an ordinary garden bed.
Gail Barton of Flowerplace Plant Farm in Mississippi did the work of making him known. Her husband, Richard Lowery, did the work of making him memorable, naming the plant for Desi Arnaz, one half of the most magnetic and improbable partnership in American television. A seedling born of two genera could hardly have asked for a better namesake, even with the spelling quietly rearranged somewhere along the way.
Brush past them on the way to somewhere else and the whole border goes to mint. That, more than the flowers, is why this one keeps ending up planted beside the path.
Photo courtesy of Karl Gercens III
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 7–9
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 15–18 Inches · Spread 15–18 Inches
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.