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Salvia eremostachya
Salvia eremostachya
Salvia eremostachya
Salvia eremostachya
Salvia eremostachya

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Salvia eremostachya

(Sand Sage) Upward curling and finely scalloped, the narrow, lime-green leaves of Salvia eremostachya are cute with a capital "C". Whorls of pale violet-blue flowers supported by fuzzy burgundy calyxes are equally appealing.
Common name This is the non-scientific name used for a plant. A plant may have several common names, depending on the gardener's location. To further confuse the matter, a common name may be shared by several completely different plants. At Flowers by the Sea, we rely on the scientific name to identify our plants and avoid confusion. Sand Sage
USDA Zones The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones indicate the temperature zones where a plant is likely to thrive. It is determined by the average annual winter minimum temperature. Actual winter temperatures may be higher or lower than the average. 9 - 11
Size (h/w/fh) The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height. 36"/36"/48"
Exposure This is the average amount of sunlight that a plant needs to thrive. Generally, full sun exposure is 6 or more hours of direct sun daily while partial shade is less than 4 hours of sun or dappled shade all day. Plants may tolerate more sunlight in cooler climates and need afternoon shade in extremely hot climates. Full sun
Soil type This is the kind of soil that a plant needs to thrive. Most plants require a well-drained soil that allows the water to soak into the soil without becoming soggy. Sandy and clay soils can be improved by digging in compost to improve drainage. Well drained
Water needs Plants have specific water requirements. Water loving means the plant needs regular watering to keep the soil moist. Average generally indicates applying 1 inch of water per week, or watering when the soil is dry to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. One inch of water is equal to 5 gallons per square yard of soil surface. Average
Container plant? "Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant. Yes
Mature height The mature height of this plant in average conditions. 2 to 3 feet
Mature spread The mature width of this plant in average conditions. 2 to 3 feet
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  • Salvia eremostachya
  • Salvia eremostachya
  • Salvia eremostachya
Degree of Difficulty
Easy
Degree of Difficulty
This plant is easy to grow in a variety of conditions.
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(Sand Sage) Upward curling and finely scalloped, the narrow, lime-green leaves of Salvia eremostachya are cute with a capital "C". Whorls of pale violet-blue flowers supported by fuzzy burgundy calyxes are equally appealing.

Sand Sage is a fragrant, drought-resistant native of Southern California and Baja that grows along the western edge of the Colorado Desert, which is part of the Sonoran Desert. It is a short, long blooming shrub that thrives in full sun, dry air, heat and areas with moderate winter temperatures.

Due to the nectar of its tubular flowers, honeybees and hummingbirds love Sand Sage. However, deer pass it by.

Whereas eremo is Greek for "desert," stachys draws a comparison between this sage and the closely related mint family (Lamiaceae) genus Stachys.

Early California botanist Willis L. Jepson gave Sand Sage its scientific name, publishing it in 1925 in his book A Manual of the Flowering Plants of California.

Photos courtesy of Frank Sovich