Black Sage

By Jutta Thoerner  UCCE Master Gardener

Salvia melliferra

Planting zone:  7-10

Size: 3 to 4 feet tall, 3 to 6 feet wide.

Bloom:Light blue to white flowers in March to June.

Exposure:Full sun, tolerates some shade.

Pruning needs: Prune to shape and occasionally remove older stems toencourage new growth.

Water needs: Low water.

Snapshot:  Black Sage, an evergreen with a green foliage is native to sunny dry slopes in the coast ranges from San Jose to Baja and is best suited for gravel-sand to adobe clay soils. While it is a low water shrub, it needs about 15" of annual rainfall. It responds well to fog drip or some added irrigation. This salvia is frequented by butterflies and hummingbirds.  Some birds, especially quail, love the seed. Both the flower and the leaves have a strong fragrance.  If you have an area with difficult soil, try Black Sage. You won't regret it.