Salvia leucophylla - Purple Sage or Gray Sage

(California Purple Sage or California Gray Sage) Called Purple Sage because of the wonderful purple flowers and Grey Sage for its lovely silver-grey textured leaves. This is one of the hardiest of the endemic California Salvias, and a joy in the dry garden.

Growing at a moderate rate into a dense, silver mound, this highly aromatic plant begins to bloom in the late Winter, giving welcome color to gardeners and nectar for honeybees and hummingbirds. All it requires is sharp drainage and full sun - it grows well in the ocean breeze or the heat of inland canyons. It is hardy to at least 15 degrees F, and worth a try in some Zone 7 sites.

We would use this shrub in the landscape even if it didn't flower, as the foliage is a real standout among the typical greens. It makes a great large-scale ground cover that takes minimal care. The flowers, which can last into the early Summer, are beautiful and fragrant - another reason to add this to your garden.

Our stock was originally raised from seed collected at the far northern end of its range.

Details


In stock	6 item(s) available
Weight	1.00 lbs
Common name	California Purple Sage or Califronia Gray Sage
USDA Zone	8 - 9
Size (h/w/fh)	48"/60"/60"
Exposure	Full sun
Soil	Well drained
Water	Drought resistant
Pot size	3 1/2 inch deep pot
Container?	Yes
Price:	$7.00

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We are pleased to suggest these other plants, which go well with Salvia leucophylla:

#730

Salvia apiana

(Sacred White Sage) An important herb to indigenous Californians, this elegant and truly unique plant belongs in every garden. Stiff, almost fleshy leaves are a brilliant white, displayed in tight rosettes on this small shrub. The flower spikes soar above the foliage, with hundreds of small white-to-lavender flowers that are one of the most important sources of nectar and pollen for honeybees. This Salvia is the source of leaves for "smudge sticks" used in a variety of rituals.

Our price: $6.00

Amount:

#682

Salvia brandegei

(Santa Rosa Island Sage) A fine native California Sage that is far more hardy than its origin would suggest. Santa Rosa Island, off the coast of Southern Cal, is the only place this plant grows in nature. It is drought resistant, has beautiful fragrant deep green rugose leaves, and forms a dense 3 foot mound. The Spring flower display is heavenly - great clouds of clear lavender-tinged-blue flowers.

Our price: $6.50

Amount:

#288

Salvia clevelandii 'Winnifred Gillman'

(Cleveland Sage or California Blue Sage) This drought tolerant evergreen California native Salvia is a compact aromatic shrub with electric blue-purple flowers in the Summer.

Our price: $6.50

Amount:

#752

Salvia leucophylla 'Point Sal'

(Spreading California Purple Sage or Spreading California Grey Sage) Called Purple Sage because of the wonderful purple flowers and Grey Sage for its lovely silver-grey textured leaves. This is one of the hardiest of the endemic California Salvias, and a joy in the dry garden.

Our price: $7.00

Amount:

#323

Salvia mellifera

(Black Sage or Honey Sage) One of the most common shrubs in the Coast Ranges of Central California, Black Sage is a great choice for dry gardens. It tolerates the most marginal soils imaginable, but thrives in loamy soils that drain well. The elegant long wrinkled leaves are quite aromatic, and the small white to pale lavender whorls of flowers are vital sources of nectar and pollen for honeybees and hummingbirds.

Our price: $6.50

Amount:

#743

Salvia munzii

(Muntz's Sage) Named after the influential botanist Philip Muntz, this densely branched, extremely fragrant shrub grows in northern Baja California and into the coastal mountains around San Diego, California. It is widely adaptable, but excels in warm & dry places that emulate its native haunts.

Our price: $7.00

Amount:

#353

Salvia spathacea

(Hummingbird Sage or Pitcher Sage) Highly desirable and spectacular in all ways, this California native Sage is quite possibly our very favorite of the genus. This strain is from the northern-most part of its range.

Our price: $7.50

Amount:

#595

Salvia spathacea 'Avis Keedy'

(Yellow Hummingbird Sage or Yellow Pitcher Sage) Highly desirable and spectacular in all ways, this California native Sage is a rare yellow variety introduced by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Our price: $7.50

Amount:

#684

Salvia x 'Pozo Blue'

(Grey Musk Sage) A chance hybrid between California Blue Sage (Salvia clevlandii) and California Purple Sage (Salvia leucophylla) found at Las Pilitas Native Plant Nursery in Southern California, this plant is fast growing, tolerant of almost any soil and blooms for a full month in the Spring. If you are looking for a tough California native plant, you've found it. And very attractive, richly scented white hairy leaves on well branched stems make this a large, garden worthy Sage.

Our price: $7.00

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Winter Blooming Salvias (Part II)
Category: Blog
Posted: Dec 10, 2011 16:55:00

The Blue Species

When I think of Winter blooming Salvias, the warm colors – red, orange and pink – come to mind first. Possibly because THE most spectacular Sage of all, Salvia gesneriifolia 'Tequila', is a presence to contend with, growing for us over 16 feet tall and 30 feet across! But looking around our gardens this cool day, there are a number of very fine blue and purple Sages in bloom now. So in Part 2 of the Winter Salvia series, we’ll discuss these fine plants.

We are pleased to suggest these other plants, which go well with Salvia leucophylla:

Send an email to a friend about Salvia leucophylla:

The Blue Species

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