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Information by: The Plant Nerd Inc.        Photographer: El Nativo Growers, Inc.

Description

The extravagant leaves of this small clumping sage emit a perfectly sweet fragrance, which attracts hummingbirds. In the spring, the reddish pink flowering spikes become a deep fuchsia. It is a great plant for dry shade.

Maintenance Tips

Salvia spathacea is a low-growing, perennial sage that is native to coastal regions of California and Oregon. It is commonly called Hummingbird Sage, which is appropriate considering how often they frequent the blooms of this plant. The foliage only reaches 6-8" tall, but the flower spikes can stand up to 2' tall. This plant isn't quite as drought tolerant as many of the other native sages are, so it is best planted in areas where moisture can collect or where there is regular irrigation. It can take full sun coastally, but it prefers some dappled shade inland where the temperatures can get much higher. This is a low-maintenance perennial, but it can take a break in colder winters, often dying back completely. The old foliage and spent blooms can be removed to keep the plant tidy and to encourage new growth.