Salvia spathacea

Identification

Genus: Salvia Species: spathacea Variety: None Cultivar: None
Common name: Hummingbird Sage.
 

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Description

A 1' perennial that spreads by rhizomes. It is native to coastal California from Napa to Orange. As the name implies Hummingbirds work this species very heavily. The flowers are magenta, 1" long with 10-20 on a 1-2' spike. It is native in a rainfall range of 20-35". It had trouble here during our drought but seems to be ok down to 15" rainfall/year. It grows on red clay under chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) in full sun in a winter seep that gets to 120 degrees F. in the summer. It also grows under oaks and Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)in full shade on serpentine soils within sight of the ocean. Ours froze to the ground at 0 degrees F. but came back. We have many forms. LP's main claim to fame is that it grows in full sun associated with Adenostoma. Seasonal wet in winter and hot and dry in summer. L.P. is nearly flat growing to only a few inches tall. . The regular form grows in the Santa Lucia mountains to the Santa Monica mountains under oaks. We also grow a form from a friend's place in Topanga Canyon called 'Topanga'. (Original isn't it?.) 'Power Line' is still another form . P.L. is big! The flower spike can be head high(sometimes it wants to in a gallon pot).Hummingbirds stake it out. Hummingbird sage has proven deer proof on all sites (so far). It has also been real easy for us. Water extra in winter and trim it lightly in late summer if it looks tacky. Common associated plants are Paeonia, Satureja douglasii, and Solidago(all forms). Click here for more about California Sages

Available at our Online store.

Contact: pan@laspilitas.com
Container Size Quantity In Production Quantity For Purchase Unit-Price
One Gallon 41 0 $ 8.99

Available at our Santa Margarita store.

Contact: bawilson@laspilitas.com
Hours: Open Saturday only from 9am to 4pm
Address: 3232 Las Pilitas Rd. Santa Margarita, CA 93453
Container Size Quantity In Production Quantity For Purchase Unit-Price
One Gallon 21 20 $ 8.99

Available at our Escondido store.

Contact: escondido@laspilitas.com
Hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9am to 4pm
Address: 8331 Nelson Way Escondido, CA 92026
Container Size Quantity In Production Quantity For Purchase Unit-Price
One Gallon 40 320 $ 8.99

Characteristics

Salvia spathacea Hummingbird Sage tolerates clay and serpentine.
Salvia spathacea Hummingbird Sage is great for a bird garden.
Salvia spathacea Hummingbird Sage's foliage type is evergreen and has fragrance.
Salvia spathacea Hummingbird Sage's flower color is red and has a fragrance.

Communities

Communities for Salvia spathacea Hummingbird Sage:Chaparral, Coastal Strand, Southern Oak Woodland and Central Oak Woodland.

Ranges for Salvia spathacea

ph: 5.00 to 7.00
usda: 7 to 10
height[m]: 0.20 to 0.50
width[m]: 1.00 to 2.00
rainfall[cm]: 60.00 to 481.00

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