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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Salvia sonomensis (Creeping sage)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Salvia sonomensis

Salvia sonomensis Greene

Creeping Sage

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SASO

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A creeping, flat perennial that can spread to 10 ft. across. The usually blue-violet flowers occur in 6-16 in. spikes on leafless stems above the matted, gray-green foliage.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 16 inches tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Blue to violet to lilac to purple, sometimes white.

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: CA Sierra foothills from Shasta to Calaveras Cos.; Coast Ranges from Siskiyou to San Diego Cos.
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes below 6500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Poor, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: A useful and attractive, but temperamental, ground cover. Plant will rot if over-watered or in poorly drained soil.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by divisions, rooted sections, or seeds.
Seed Collection: Collect the seeds as the capsules begin to dry but before they have dropped the seeds. Spread seeds in thin layers to dry a few days before storing in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: A gibberellic acid soak or 3 month, cold-moist stratification is required.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Naval Air Station Kingsville - Kingsville, TX
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Salvia sonomensis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Salvia sonomensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salvia sonomensis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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