Descanso GardenClub

Salvia

Sages for Descanso Gardens

Sage (Salvia ) is a perennial, shrub or sub-shrub with a strong, pungent scent. Most are upright or shrub-like, but a couple of species form mats or hang over banks. It blooms in late spring through summer, depending on species and several species are native to the Descanso area. It is a hummingbird nectar flower, but deer and rabbits leave it alone.
ruth says: "S.Mystic Spires Blue: exceptional plant, prolific even in early December with blooms. Cleveland Sage does really well as do the flowering varieties in containers."

Salvia leucantha	Salvia apiana

• CULTIVATION:

• Location: Salvia loves hot, dry position. Plant in full sun
• Soil: It likes average to lean soil.
• Water: It is drought resistant, but likes periodic deep watering during dry, hot weather.
• Pruning: Deadhead regularly to prolong bloom. Cut older stems back to base after new growth begins in spring. Prune newer growth back to about a foot tall.

  PROPAGATION:

• Sages may be started from seed in fall or spring. Protect until the plants near full size. They are easy to propagate from cuttings.

  Try These Species:

• Marguerite says 'All of the following have done well in my garden. Most are drought resistant."

• Blue Sage (S.azurea). This one has gradually spread throughout a rose garden, but doesn't seem to be invasive.
• Germander Sage (S.chamaedryoides).
• Autumn Sage (S.greggii). This is very showy with vivid blooms in shades of red and pink. Many cultivars are shown in catalogs. Rabbits just don't mess with this one! Hummingbirds love it!
• Mexican Sage (S.leucantha). This is one of the best for my property. It dies back each winter but returns in early summer and blooms well into the fall. I have one plant that is at least five years old. (picture shown above, left)
• Common or Purple Sage (S.officinalis).
• Scarlet Sage (S.spendens).

  OTHER SPECIES:

• Marguerite says 'The following have not done well in my garden

• Silver Sage (S.argentea). Lasted less than a year then died back. I haven't tried it again.
• Bog Sage (S.uliginosa). Grows from perennial rhizome and needs more water than most. It started taking over the raised bed where it was growing and I removed it as possibly invasive for me.

• SOME LOCAL NATIVE SPECIES:

• All can probably grow in your dry garden.

• White Sage (S.apiana ).
• Chia (S.columbariae).
• Creeping Sage (S.sonomensis). I haven't had success trying this one.
• Cleveland Sage (S.clevelandii). A shrub which turns woody after a year or so and produces fewer blooms. Wonderful fragrance! I usually end up replacing it after two or three years.

• SOURCES:

• Local nurseries and mail order sources.

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