1. *Blue/Rose sage – Salvia pachyphylla (SAL-vee-uh pak-ee-FILL-uh )
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: Desert mountains of California Nevada, Arizona, n Baja California. Locally in San
Bernardino. San Jacinto, Santa Rosa & Mojave Desert mountains ; on dry slopes, pinyon-juniper
woodland, yellow pine forest, often in decomposed granite, at elevations from 5000-10,000 ft.
Growth characteristics: woody sub-shrub mature height: 2-3 ft. mature width: 2-3+ ft.
Half-woody sub-shrub with mounded to sprawling growth habit. Foliage pale green to gray-green.
Leaves large for local native salvias, spoon-shaped, very aromatic. Relatively fast growth; may be
short-lived (3-5 years) at lower elevations.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms from early summer into fall – June to Sept./Oct. Flowers are exceptionally
showy, blue with purple bracts on stems above the foliage. Plants are covered in blooms which
attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Long-bloomer. Really spectacular plant!
Uses in the garden: Used primarily as an accent plant for its flowers & foliage. Works well in dry
beds or rock gardens with native Penstemons, Salvias and mediterranean herbs like rosemary &
lavender. Good choice for large container. Grows in high shade under pines and other summer dry
trees. Medicinal/seasoning uses. Cultivars: Salvia pachyphylla ‘Blue Flame’ from S. CA has lush,
blue flowers; ‘Mulberry Flambe’ has dark mulberry-colored bracts.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs; mediterranean shrubs/herbs.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: provides cover, nectar/pollen and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Best in part-shade or morning sun.
Soil Well-drained a must; most local pH except very alkali (> 8.0).
Water No summer water to occasional (Water Zone 1 to 1-2).
Fertilizer None
Other Light organic mulch.
Management: Prune back, leaving 3 sets of leaves/branch, after blooming in fall.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed by cuttings: semi-soft wood in summer.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 8, 11, 24, 46 7/30/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND