Black Sage – Salvia mellifera (SAL-vee-uh mel-IF-er-uh)

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Native to: Coast ranges from San Jose to Baja CA. On south- and west-facing slopes in chaparral and

coastal sage scrub. Generally at low elevations on both the coastal and inland sides of hills. Dry, sunny

and often rocky locations. Found in slightly wetter areas than other local native Salvias.

Growth characteristics: woody shrub/sub-shrub mature height: 3-8 ft mature width: 3-8 ft

Fast-growing woody shrub that produces new leaves in spring and fall (leaves are slightly different).

Plants are mounding with open branches from a woody base. Lives 20-30 years.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms Mar-June, with small pale lavender-blue flowers in tight balls along stems.

Attractive fragrance.

Uses in the garden: in a fragrance or butterfly/hummingbird garden. Good for low water gardens.

Looks good in backs of beds, along walks and driveways, or on a parking strip. Good for bank

stabilization and hillsides. Does well in sea coast conditions. Excellent habitat plant, particularly because it blooms early compared to other nectar-producing plants. Horticultural cultivars include: ‘Terra Seca’

and ‘Green Carpet’; hybrids with S. mellifera include: ‘Dara’s Choice’, ‘Mrs. Beard’.

Sensible substitute for: non–native perennial (bush) Salvias

Attracts: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds eat nectar. Many birds eat seeds and use plants for

cover/nesting.

Requirements:

Element Requirement Sun Full sun to partial shade

Soil Prefers coarse-textured, well-drained; but can survive even clay soils

Water No summer water needed in our area – don’t over-water in summer ; will lose

leaves in summer with no water

Fertilizer May give light supplement; additional nitrogen favors leaf over flower production

Other

Management: Minimal care needed. Prune after flowering to prevent legginess. In nature, plants may

become very large in good sites (to 12 ft wide) or may re-seed, forming dense stands.

Propagation: from seed: harvest dry seeds in spring by clipping/hand-stripping. Direct seed or plant in pots in fall-winter (best) or early spring. Be sure to just cover seeds – need light to germinate. By

divisions: yes; when dormant.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 8, 10-14, 16, 17, 19-21, 24, 27, 28, 56 1/15/15 © Project SOUND

Salvia mellifera

Black sage

Salvia mellifera in ‘Garden of Dreams’ native plant garden, early spring – CSU Dominguez Hills (Carson, CA)

Salvia mellifera in ‘Garden of Dreams’ native plant garden, spring – CSU Dominguez Hills (Carson, CA)

Salvia mellifera in ‘Garden of Dreams’ native plant garden, late fall – CSU Dominguez Hills (Carson, CA)

Salvia mellifera in ‘Mother Nature’s Backyard’ native plant garden, winter – Gardena, CA

Black sage after pruning