SALVIA. Sage. Worldwide. This is a huge and diverse group of mint allies, grown both for ornament and for herbal qualities. Those listed below are undemanding perennials and shrubs with usually rough-textured, aromatic leaves. Some form broad rosettes of basal leaves; others have branched, leafy stems. Usually the leaves are paired along the stems. Irregular 2-lipped flowers are borne in dense heads, whorls or spikes above the foliage. They come in nearly every floral shade, including near-black. Culture and hardiness vary widely, though most prefer a sunny spot with well drained soil. Many, particularly natives of California and the Southwest, are drought tolerant.

apiana. White sage. This is a common sight in the hills of southern California but not well known in the north. The main body of the plant is usually under 3' high, with several short, stocky stems. These are crowded with nearly white, somewhat bitterly aromatic leaves, up to 4" long. Above them rise openly branched, wandlike flower stems, as much as 6' high. These carry rather few flowers up to 1" in length, white overall with lavender or pink markings. These plants originally from Tree of Life Nursery are particularly nice, with compact habit and large leaves. They will need more sun and better soil drainage than many salvias but have nearly unlimited drought tolerance. Hardy to 20^oF or less.

‘Bee’s Bliss’. This recent introduction captures some of the best features of S. sonomensis (described below) with a distinctly less temperamental disposition. It makes broad, dense mats with bright greyish leaves, about 2" long. In spring and early summer it is decorated by many clusters of lavender blossoms, borne at the shoot tips. This is potentially a valuable ground cover for exposed banks and slopes, and a pretty plant for low borders, if full sun and well drained soil can be provided. Probably 15^oF or less.

chamaedryoides is one of the prettiest of all the salvias and has gotten a rousing response from the gardening public. It is a compact shrub, growing about 3' tall and 4-5' broad in this selection. The stems are pale and greyish, and closely lined by small, broadly oval leaves, greyish green on their upper surface, nearly white beneath. Short clusters of bright, true blue flowers grace the plant most of the year. Its main drawback is a marked intolerance of excessive moisture or poor soil drainage. 15-20^oF.

chionophylla. A prostrate and ground-covering salvia with furry whitish stems closely lined by 3/4" grey-green leaves. The stems root as they travel, making it potentially useful as a bank cover (also potentially invasive in the garden). Small bright blue flowers are clustered at the shoot tips in summer. 20-25^oF.

clevelandii hybrids. When closely related salvias come into a garden, it is nearly inevitable that the bees will try their hands (claws?) at hybridizing, and that something beautiful will appear. Several popular shrubby natives were once universally listed as cultivars of S. clevelandii, blue sage. Careful study at Rancho Santa Ana and elsewhere showed them to be hybrids with S. leucophylla and others. The first to be recognized as such was ‘Allen Chickering’, originating at Rancho Santa Ana. This is still my favorite of the group. It is a dense shrub, 4-5’ tall with greater spread. The twigs are clothed with 3" grey green, fragrant leaves which make a pleasant tea. In late spring and summer many 1-2’ blooming stems rise from the shoot tips, displaying deep lavender blossoms in interrupted ball shaped clusters. A somewhat larger, slightly looser growing selection, ‘Aromas’, was first raised by the late Ken Taylor in the town of the same name. The flower clusters can be even larger and darker than those of ‘Allen Chickering’. ‘Whirly Blue’ is yet another, similar selection, quite bushy and grey-leaved. Occasional watering when established. Around 15^oF.

coahuilensis hybrid. This is the name under which Salvia muelleri was first received. The current selection is fairly distinct, however, though clearly part of the greggii/muelleri complex. This is a small shrub, probably never much over 3'. It forms small colonies by means of underground rhizomes. Each major shoot has upswept branches and small, rather light green leaves. In contrast, the small flowers are colored a rich, deep violet, equalled by few other salvias. Probably 15^oF or less.

confertiflora. One of the giants of the group, eventually 8' tall and 10' or more broad if not restrained by frequent pruning. The stems are stout and erect. Lining them are lance shaped, heavily textured leaves up to 8" long. The leaves have an unpleasant scent when bruised, unlike those of most salvias. In late summer and fall it carries many long clusters of furry, dark orange flowers above the foliage. Probably 20^oF or less, though the tops are easily frost-burned.

‘Costa Rica Blue’. Part of a “care package” several years ago from salvia enthusiast Richard Dufresne, this has turned out to be one of the showiest of the shrubby salvias, though somewhat marginal outdoors here. It it vigorous though compact in growth, making a rounded bush 4-6' tall. The leaves are broadly oval in form, usually 2-3" long and softly shiny. From late summer to midwinter it displays a profusion of bright, true blue blossoms in dense clusters. It tolerates some shading and heavier soils. Hardy to around 20^o, resprouting after apparently lethal damage.

‘Dara's Choice’. Sonoma sage. An apparent hybrid of S. sonomensis, selected by the late Dara Emery at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. It is a spreading, semishrubby perennial forming broad carpets of grey green leaves. It is decorated by many 6-12" spikes of purple flowers in spring. It is exceptionally attractive and more disease-resistant than the species generally. Useful as a bank cover or for draping over walls and rockery. It tolerates some shade. Little or no watering when established. About 10^oF.

‘Dark Dancer’. A stunning hybrid discovered as a chance seedling at Wintergreen by Victor Quintero. The likely parents are S. muelleri and a large flowered S. microphylla, both described below. It grows round and dense, about 3' tall, with foliage like S. muelleri or S. greggii. The flowers are exceptionally large for this group and have broad, rounded “skirts” of rich red-violet, reminiscent to us of little ballerinas. Probably 15^oF or less.

discolor. A strange departure from the usual salvia theme. It is a somewhat sparse, though rather slowly growing shrub, probably 3-4' high in time, with white-hairy stems. The leaves are broadly oval, medium green above and white-hairy beneath. The truly odd feature is the loosely clustered flowers, each with nearly black tube and face, contrasting vividly with a woolly white calyx and blooming stem. Hardy to around 25^oF.

elegans. Pineapple sage. I have abandoned efforts with the typical form of this species, though I consider it a fine garden sage. However, for those intimidated by its size and vigor, the selection ‘Compacta’ should provide a much more manageable alternative. It is a bushy plant of 2-3', the stems closely lined by pairs of nearly round, pineapple-scented 2" leaves. Slender blooming stems carry many tubular, bright red blossoms in summer and fall. A more recent acquisition, from Jon Dixon, is ‘Frieda Dixon’. It grows more upright, like the typical form, but is dense and well-behaved. The flowers are painted a beautiful coral pink. Both should be root-hardy to 18^oF or less, though the tops are damaged at around 25^oF.

fulgens. A closely branched shrub up to 3' tall, with nearly heart shaped leaves which are bright green above, grey beneath. In summer it displays beautiful 2" scarlet blossoms in interrupted clusters along 1' stalks. Moderate to regular watering. Hardiness uncertain—probably around 20^oF.

gesneriiflora ‘Tequila’. A robust shrub, growing 8' tall or more. It has bright, nearly chartreuse stems and foliage. The leaves are large, nearly heart shaped and felted with fine hairs. It blooms mostly during the cooler months, carrying clusters of 2½" blossoms at the shoot tips. The tube is scarlet, making a striking contrast with a nearly black calyx. Damaged at 25^o but it has recovered quickly after bouts of 20^oF or less.

greggii. This species has long been popular for landscape use, though until recently the material available reflected little of its diversity in the wild. Some dedicated effort in selection has resulted in a wealth of new flower colors. Most clones are in the 2-4’ range. All have closely branched stems and narrow 3/4-1½" leaves, colored light green to bluish green. The ½-1" blossoms are dotted in small clusters over the plants much of the year. Our earlier material, received from James David in Austin, Texas, includes selections with white, coral, and deep red flowers. Betsy Clebsch’s selection, ‘Annie’, has blossoms I would describe as hot lipstick pink. Our own cross between this one and a coral-orange selection, dubbed ‘Wild Thing’, has blossoms of an incredible, glowing orange-red. ‘Moonlight’, discovered by our own Jose Gonsales, is a particularly compact plant bearing masses of moonlight yellow blossoms. ‘Plum Wine’ has reddish purple flowers. These are perfect shrubs for exposed banks and neglected corners of the garden. With better treatment or heavy soils they grow and flower beautifully for a while, but tend to be short-lived. Mostly 15^oF. or less.

‘Indigo Blue’. I am in mystery about this plant—even its source. It is a slender-stemmed shrublet, growing about 2’ high, with slender stems and nearly heart-shaped 1" leaves. The leaves have a deep, netted vein pattern and are bright to deep green above, nearly white beneath. Bright blue-violet ½” blossoms open in succession on long stalks above the foliage, summer and fall. 20-25^oF. (we are waiting for the acid test).

involucrata. Though probably not for the small city garden (it should fill at least a 6' x 6' space), this is otherwise a plant every salvia lover should have. It is stout and bushy, with a lush covering of 3" dark, velvety leaves. In late summer and fall clusters of large rose-colored flowers with decorative bracts are borne at each shoot tip. Sun or light shade, most soils, moderate watering. Hardy to 20^oF or less.

x jamensis (previously listed under S. greggii). This is a swarm of natural hybrids found in northern Mexico, involving S. greggii and S. microphylla. Recent explorations by the folks from Yucca Do Nursery in Texas, plus the diligent efforts of hummingbirds and bees, have resulted in several showy selections from the complex. They generally resemble S. greggii in habit and foliage. The flowers tend to be larger and display an unusual range of colors, including yellow and orange shades. ‘Cienega de Oro’ is an upright 2-3' shrub with pale yellow flowers.‘Chiffon’, another upright selection with large, pale yellow flowers, is probably also of this group. ‘Sierra San Antonio’ is similar in habit. Its flowers combine moonlight yellow and an unusual soft orange. ‘Coral Sunrise’ is a recent introduction by Ginny Hunt, bushy in habit and growing about 3' high. The flowers are deep coral pink on opening, lighter as they age. The calyx and flower stems are nearly black. Probably 15^oF or less.

leucantha. Mexican bush sage. A bushy perennial which spreads underground to form dense colonies. The stems are 2-3' tall and covered with white wool. Closely lining them are long, narrow greyish green leaves. A striking contrast is created from late spring to fall by 1-2' flower stems densely covered with purple-rose hairs and displaying clusters of—in our traditional selection—rosy purple flowers (the typical flower color is white). ‘Eder’ is a sport discovered recently at the nursery by Leonel Morales. It has leaves irregularly margined in creamy yellow, and the same rosy purple flowers as “mama” plant. Winter deciduous (or more precisely, burned down by frost, then reappearing from the rootstock in spring). Most soils, moderate to little watering. About 15^oF.

leucophylla ‘Figueroa’. Purple sage. I once set out to find plants with better cold tolerance than available in coastal selections of this species. ‘Figueroa’ is ornamentally the best of the resulting selections. It is a compact shrub 3-4' tall, with wider spread. Both stems and leaves are covered with white wool. In summer it produces long stems displaying interrupted clusters of lavender pink flowers. Very heat and drought-tolerant and useful as a cover for dry banks. 15^oF or less.

madrensis. Beautiful though potentially overwhelming in a small garden. It spreads by underground rhizomes to make broad thickets (simply pull out young stems where they're not wanted). Conspicuously angled stems rise 8' or more from the ground, bearing deeply textured, elongated heart shaped leaves up to 6" long, with stalks of equal length. In fall and winter the plant glows with golden yellow blossoms, each a little over an inch long, opening in succession along 1-2' stalks. Probably 15^oF or less, though the tops are damaged at 25^oF.

melissodora. Grape-scented sage. I was grateful to receive this shrubby sage from Pat McNeal, and more so once it reached full size. It should become one of the popular garden salvias. The plant is upright but bushy in habit, with many slender twigs. These are closely lined with bright green 1" leaves, furry beneath. It seems to bloom most of the year, with many short stalks carrying interrupted clusters of fragrant flowers, each combining shades of lavender and darker purple. It is easily grown, though hardy only to about 25^oF, or a little less.

mexicana. This is a robust plant, growing at least 6' and probably 10' tall, with nearly erect branches and broad, satiny dark green leaves 3-5" long. In late summer each shoot tip carries a a dense, long cluster of 1" to nearly 3" blossoms, bright blue to blue-violet in contrast with a chartreuse to nearly black calyx. Hardy to around 20^oF or less, though the foliage is damaged at around 25^oF.

microphylla. This species is part of a botanical complex with S. greggii, S. muelleri and S. coahuilensis. Distinguishing them sometimes requires a trained botanist, though each has many beautiful forms. This one, which is found from southern Arizona to southern Mexico, is extremely variable. It is a profusely branched shrub with slender young stems and usually small, flat, green leaves. The flowers are of variable size, up to perhaps 1" long and broad, much like those of S. greggii in form, and borne most of the year in loose clusters at the shoot tips. Colors range from white to intense violet, rose pink and fire engine red. We offer most of these at one time or another, simply under their color names. Most forms are easily grown and drought tolerant, though their hardiness varies considerably.

ssp. (var.?) grahami (S. grahami). While botanists debate the “true” identity of this complex entity, we can simply appreciate its ornamental features. The plants are usually quite full, with relatively broad leaves of variable size. Our original offering is round and about as dense as a salvia can be, with bright green leaves and brilliant red flowers, borne mostly in midsummer. 20^oF. or less.

var. neurepia (“deltoid leaf form” in previous editions of this guide). One of the showiest, toughest and longest lived of the southwestern salvias. The unnamed selection at hand is a nearly round to spreading shrub, growing 3-5’ tall and a little more openly branched than S. greggii. It has broad, conspicuously angled and toothed leaves and bears a continual succession of large, bright red blossoms. My own home plant has never been out of bloom. 10^oF. or less.

‘San Carlos Festival’. Introduced several years ago by Yucca Do Nursery, this is an outstanding ornamental selection. It is a thick dome, 2-3' high and perhaps twice that in breadth, with broad, slightly grey-green leaves. The large magenta flowers decorate the plant much of the year. Probably 15^oF or less.

moorcroftiana. Himalaya. A rosette-forming perennial with broad basal leaves up to 10" long. The leaves are fuzzy and blue-green above, often white-woolly below. In spring, whorled clusters of light blue flowers are spaced along branched stalks up to 3’ high. Hardy to around 10^oF.

muelleri. Closely related to and generally resembling S. greggii (see above), this is a lower, more spreading shrub. I would estimate the size of the current selection at 3' x 6'+ at maturity. It has slender, closely branched stems and narrow 1-2" leaves. From spring to fall it is sprinkled with short clusters of beautiful violet blossoms. Probably hardy to 15^oF or less.

officinalis. The type species is our common kitchen sage, ornamental but usually relegated to the herb garden. It forms dense clumps, usually 6-12" high. Each shoot is packed with 2-4" narrowly oval, fuzzy leaves. In spring it sends up many dense spikes of small lavender to violet blossoms.‘Berggarten’ is a dense, low carpet of broad grey-green leaves, with lavender-blue flowers. ‘Variegata’ has dull green leaves strongly and irregularly variegated with yellow, particularly bright in spring. ‘Icterina’ is similar. It has never bloomed for us. ‘Purpurea’ has darker green foliage, strongly tinged with purple in new growth. ‘Tricolor’ combines dark green, cream and purplish red. Tough, easily grown plants for use in the low border and—of course—an ornamental addition to the herb garden. 0^oF or less.

‘Purple Majesty’. This showy hybrid sage is a large (to at least 5'), semishrubby perennial with erect stems and broad, pointed, heavily textured leaves. Tubular, velvet-textured blossoms, deep purple in color, are displayed in whorls along 1-2' flower stems in late summer and fall. Sun, reasonably well drained soil, moderate to regular watering. 25^oF or less.

regla ‘Huntington’. A tough, hardy Texan with several ornamental features. This selection grows around 3' tall and spreads to at least 6'. It has bright green, profusely branched stems and rounded, deeply textured leaves. It blooms much of the year, though the heaviest displays come in spring and fall. Large, orange-red blossoms are carried in short clusters at each shoot tip. After each flower has fallen the reddish calyx left behind maintains a flower-like appearance for several weeks. Selected at the Huntington Botanical Garden. Tolerant of many soils, drought and temperatures to 10^oF or less.

‘Shirley’s Creeper’. An apparent garden hybrid of S. mellifera (the native black sage), selected and given to us for trial by Charles Christiansen. It is initially prostrate but can eventually form a broad mound up to 3’ high. The leaves are deep green, textured and aromatic like those of S. mellifera, and the flowers are carried in the same interrupted clusters. They are cream-white in color. 15^oF. or less.

sinaloensis. This is a compact semishrub from Mexico, 2’ or less tall at maturity with slightly greater spread. Leaves are small and dark, with a strong purple tinge. Short clusters of deep blue flowers decorate the plants from early summer to fall. Hardiness is uncertain; assume 20-25^oF.

somalensis. An African species, rather coincidentally reminiscent of our own black sage, S. mellifera. It is a bushy small shrub, 3-5' in height and a little more in breadth. It has stocky, well-branched stems, crowded with long, rather narrow leaves. They resemble S. mellifera both in their texture and in their odd, slightly yellowish green color. Branched flower stalks carry many small lavender flowers above the shoot tips during summer and fall. I am reselecting from seedling groups for brighter, clear lavender flowers. This is a tidy, easily grown shrub for mixed plantings, borders and individual display. Unfortunately, recent freezes have shown it somewhat tender; assume 20-25^oF.

sonomensis. Sonoma sage. I am pleased to have this species to describe once again, though it sometimes tries the patience of all who grow it. This is a prostrate, semishrubby perennial, often seen making broad carpets in the California chaparral. The stems are closely lined by rather narrow, pleasantly to bitterly aromatic leaves, about 2" long. They are covered by short hairs, especially on the lower surface, and can be almost ashy grey in color (some forms have tired-looking yellowish green leaves, but one would hardly consider these for the garden. Rising straight up off the mats in spring are slender stems carrying interrupted clusters of deep purple to white (unfortunately, usually "dirty white") blossoms. My recent selections are from the nearby Gabilan Range and combine bright grey leaves with violet flowers. This is an ideal ground cover for steep, dry banks, needing full exposure and excellent soil drainage to reliably persist. 15^oF or less.

thymoides. A delightful little shrub, unfortunately a little touchy for the average gardener. It closely resembles S. chamaedryoides (see above), and is undoubtedly closely related. However, the plant is smaller overall (2' or less), and leaves and flowers are both considerably smaller. They present the same bright, blue-on-grey contrast, blooming most of the summer. Well drained soil is a must! 15-20^oF.

‘Waverly’. A bushy hybrid, making a 3-4’ dome. Its reddish stems present a crisp contrast to dark, deeply veined 2-3" leaves. Graceful, arching flower stems are covered with purplish red hairs, the calyx of the flowers even more so, in the manner of S. leucantha. The flowers themselves are broadly tubular, about an inch long and white, at times with rosy shading at the tips. In winter the entire plant is tinged with purple.