Blue Sage, Fragrant sage, Chaparral Sage
Salvia clevelandii
Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Purple. Main Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Irregular or sprawling.
Salvia clevelandii is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Sunny positions in chapparal plant communities.
South-western N. America - California.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The leaves have a pleasant flavour and fragrance, they are a good substitute for sage in cooking,
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Container, Foundation, Massing, Seashore, Specimen. Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Prefers a rich soil. Soils rich in nitrogen encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet. There is at least one named variety. 'Aromas' is an improved selection that is very fragrant. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Fragrant foliage, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers, Fragrant flowers.
Propagating it: Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. In areas where the plant is towards the limits of its hardiness, it is best to grow the plants on in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood succeed at almost any time in the growing season.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist