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Native Plant Database

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Salvia sonomensis (Creeping sage)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Salvia sonomensis Greene

Creeping sage

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

USDA Symbol: SASO

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A creeping, flat perennial that can spread to 10 ft. across. The blue-violet flowers occur in 6-12 in. spikes on leafless stems above the matted, gray-green foliage.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun

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.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

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 either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

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

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

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: 2009-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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