Q salvia apiana
13
White Sage – Salvia apiana (SAL-vee-uh a-pee-AH (or AY)-nuh) Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family) Native to: CA from Santa Barbara Co. to Baja; dry slopes in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, yellow-pine forest, and the upper edges of desert scrub. Growth characteristics: woody sub-shrub mature height: 2-5 ft. mature width: 3-5 ft. Tall, partially woody upright stems from a base. Leaves green when young, turning to gray-white. Fragrant foliage – unique scent. Blooms/fruits: Blooms April to June/July. Flowers are white or pale lilac, in loose clusters on long flowering stalks above the foliage. Showy flowers, with stamens extending beyond the petals. Very attractive to bees. Four seeds per flower. Uses in the garden: As an accent plant, particularly for white foliage. Good in dry gardens, on dry slopes, along south/west-facing walls/fences, in large pots. Excellent for slope stabilization. Good for fragrance and habitat gardens. Leaves used ceremonially by Native Californians as a smudge. Seeds are edible, raw or cooked. Varieties: ‘Compacta’; hybrid: ‘Vicki Romo’. Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubby Sages. Attracts: Excellent bee and hummingbird nectar plant. Provides cover/seeds for food for a variety of birds. Larger animals, incl. deer, rabbits and lizards eat foliage and seeds, and use plant for cover. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun; may take a small amount of shade in very sunny areas Soil Any well-drained Water Best with no summer water; modest summer water will keep it evergreen, but may kill plant and will cause plant to become leggy. Fertilizer None required; mycorrhyzal plant Other Management: Pinch young plants to promote denser growth. Prune out dead wood and old stalks and shear lightly after flowering to keep more dense. Plant is short-lived (3-7 yr) but self-seeds. Propagation: from seed : moderately easy, fall-spring, in pots or prepared beds. Cover lightly. Germinates in about 2 weeks. Plants take 2-3 years to reach maturity by cuttings : softwood, hardwood & divisions. Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 5, 7-11, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21, 23-25, 28 12/14/10 © Project SOUND
Transcript of Q salvia apiana
White Sage – Salvia apiana (SAL-vee-uh a-pee-AH (or AY)-nuh)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: CA from Santa Barbara Co. to Baja; dry slopes in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, yellow-pine
forest, and the upper edges of desert scrub.
Growth characteristics: woody sub-shrub mature height: 2-5 ft. mature width: 3-5 ft. Tall,
partially woody upright stems from a base. Leaves green when young, turning to gray-white. Fragrant foliage – unique scent.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms April to June/July. Flowers are white or pale lilac, in loose clusters on long
flowering stalks above the foliage. Showy flowers, with stamens extending beyond the petals. Very
attractive to bees. Four seeds per flower.
Uses in the garden: As an accent plant, particularly for white foliage. Good in dry gardens, on dry
slopes, along south/west-facing walls/fences, in large pots. Excellent for slope stabilization. Good for fragrance and habitat gardens. Leaves used ceremonially by Native Californians as a smudge. Seeds are
edible, raw or cooked. Varieties: ‘Compacta’; hybrid: ‘Vicki Romo’.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubby Sages.
Attracts: Excellent bee and hummingbird nectar plant. Provides cover/seeds for food for a variety of
birds. Larger animals, incl. deer, rabbits and lizards eat foliage and seeds, and use plant for cover.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun; may take a small amount of shade in very sunny areas
Soil Any well-drained
Water Best with no summer water; modest summer water will keep it evergreen, but may kill plant and will cause plant to become leggy.
Fertilizer None required; mycorrhyzal plant
Other
Management: Pinch young plants to promote denser growth. Prune out dead wood and old stalks and shear lightly after flowering to keep more dense. Plant is short-lived (3-7 yr) but self-seeds.
Propagation: from seed: moderately easy, fall-spring, in pots or prepared beds. Cover lightly.
Germinates in about 2 weeks. Plants take 2-3 years to reach maturity by cuttings: softwood, hardwood & divisions.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 5, 7-11, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21, 23-25, 28 12/14/10 © Project SOUND
Salvia apiana
White Sage
‘Garden of Dreams’ native plant garden – CSU Dominguez Hills (Carson, CA)
Heritage Creek Nature Preserve – CSU Dominguez Hills (Carson, CA)
