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Black Sage

Salvia melifera

In stock

1 gallon

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low - Moderate

Exposure:

Mature size:

Growth rate:

Filtered Sun

3'x3'

Moderate

Flower color:

Flower season:

Pruning:

White; Blue; Violet

Winter; Spring; Summer

Overgrown or leggy shrubs can be cut back in the late fall to reduce size and
increase density.

Wildlife

Monarchs:

Yes

Nectar pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Rabbit resistant:

Black sage is the most common sage in California and northern Baja California, and one of the keystone species of the coastal sage scrub plant community. Black sages grow quickly, mounding to 3 to 6 feet in height and as wide. The plant has attractive dark green leaves, 1-3 inches long. It is semi-deciduous; leaves
may curl or drop during summer drought. The plant is highly aromatic. White to pale blue-lavender flowers occur in clusters at any time of the year. The plant flowers are an important food source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The seeds are an important food for quail, towhee, and other birds.
According to Calscape, there are a few spots locally of black sage but I would hesitate to consider it a "local native"

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on my research from reliable sources, observations I have made of plants growing in my, and other gardens I have visited, and observations of the plants in their native habitats. I would appreciate your feedback and experience to help me educate others!

Cacti: In my experience, cacti are much happier in the filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Colors are more vibrant and they bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you pay attention to how our native barrel and beavertail opuntia grow in the wild, it is frequently tucked in the rocks under creosote or another shrub.

Light Requirements: I have found that in our desert (Sonoran/Colorado) “full sun” plants can take and appreciate the late afternoon filtered sun, especially in the hot summer months.