Salvia Spathacea Overview and Identification Guide

Salvia Spathacea is a perennial herb native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It's a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae.

This plant grows up to 2 feet tall, with a spread of about 1 foot. It has a robust and upright habit, making it a great addition to any garden.

The leaves of Salvia Spathacea are ovate and have a pointed tip, measuring around 2-4 inches long. They're a deep green color with a slightly fuzzy texture.

The flowers of Salvia Spathacea are a vibrant purple color, blooming in the summer months. They're a favorite of hummingbirds and other pollinators.

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Salvia spathacea, also known as Hummingbird Sage, is a perennial herb native to California. It thrives in coastal woodland communities from Sonoma County south to Orange County.

This low-growing plant is hardy to 20 degrees F, making it a great option for those who want a resilient addition to their garden. It can tolerate a variety of well-drained soils and irrigation schedules, requiring minimal maintenance.

Salvia spathacea has deep green, lance-shaped leaves that are 4-6 inches long, with a distinctive fruity aroma. The foliage was even used by Aboriginal Californians to make a decongestant tea.

The plant produces tall, vigorous spikes covered in magenta-red flowers in early spring, which are irresistible to hummingbirds and a source of food and nectar for assorted bees, butterflies, and caterpillars.

Here are some key characteristics of Salvia spathacea:

Salvia spathacea is a great choice for those looking to attract wildlife to their garden, as it is a source of food and nectar for many different species.

Salvia spathacea is a low-growing, hardy perennial that thrives in coastal woodland communities from Sonoma County south to Orange County.

It can grow up to 2 feet high and spread 3 or more feet in width, making it a perfect ground cover.

The plant has deep green, lance-shaped leaves that are 4-6 inches long and have a distinctive fruity aroma.

Foliage is highly aromatic when crushed or touched, and the entire plant is covered with wavy glandular hairs.

The plant is drought-tolerant but prefers occasional water, and it can tolerate regular garden water.

It can be planted under trees or large shrubs, such as Coast Live Oaks, Bay Laurel, and Madrone.

Salvia spathacea can also be used as a companion for other understory plants, such as California Peony, Yerba Buena, Ocean Spray, Miners Lettuce, and Canyon Sunflower.

The plant spreads by rhizomes and can form colonies up to 130 cm in diameter.

Here are some key characteristics of Salvia spathacea:

The plant is evergreen and can grow up to 150 cm tall, with a spread of up to 130 cm in diameter.

It produces a single flowering stem which rarely branches, and the flowers are produced in clustered whorled inflorescences 15-30 cm long and 6 cm in diameter.

The inflorescences are subtended by showy bracts which can be ruby red to dark maroon or brown.

The plant is naturalized in various regions, including the Southern Sacramento Valley, Central Western CA, South Coast, and Transverse Ranges.

Salvia spathacea has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

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