Salvia sonomensis

Identification

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Description

Salvia sonomensis is a creeping flat perennial sage that can spread to 10' across. The sage flowers are blue-violet from May to June, appearing in a 6"spike above gray-green leaves that lie on the ground 1" or so high. Creeping sage is native to dry slopes in the coast ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills. Seems to grow at its best in shade/part shade, under shrubs or in the shade of shrubs like Manzanita or Mountain Lilac. Cold tolerant to about 0 degrees F. This plant is temperamental if planted in interior full sun. At its best one plant will cover an area 10 by 15 feet, but in hot sun the plant may die back to the crown in one day when it gets too hot or dry (110F and 10 inches or less of annual rainfall). In contrast, in part shade of a bush they are easy. We've had Creeping Sage in the ground here for years. Salvia sonomensis is native in San Luis Obispo county on windswept ridges in serpentine soils,  and in red clay on north slopes. In Big Sur area it grows on loose sandy slopes under the conifers near the peaks at about 4000-5000 feet. It has done ok on our sandy loam and will grow in heavy clay soils as long as the water doesn't stand. A beautiful ground cover between manzanita with monkey flowers and monardella. Click here for more about California Sages