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Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Salvia clevelandii

Salvia clevelandii (A. Gray) Greene

Fragrant Sage, Blue Sage, Cleveland Sage

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SACL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A fragrant, rounded subshrub, 3-4 ft. tall and 4-6 ft. wide, with a heavy bloom of dark blue-violet flowers. Fragrant, wrinkled, gray leaves are sometimes used in cooking in place of the European garden sage.

Leaves are sometimes used in cooking in place of the European garden sage. Flowers attract bees and hummingbirds.

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: S. CA to adjacent Mex.
Native Habitat: Dry slopes below 3000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Well-drained sands & gravels.
Conditions Comments: Prune off old flower stalks in fall.

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: May be propagated by seed sown outdoors in early fall.
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: No treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

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
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

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

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-24
Research By: TWC Staff

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