If you are starting a list of plants to put in the ground this fall, you might want to add a salvia or two. With just under 1000 varieties, Salvia is the largest genus in the mint family (Lamiaceae).  Commonly known as sages, Salvias come in a dizzying variety of forms and colors.  Salvias can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs, or perennial, biennial, or annual flowering plants.  Although their flowers are most commonly a shade of blue or purple, different species of sages also produce white, yellow, pink, red, or even bicolor blooms.

As members of the mint family, all Salvia flowers are two lipped (bilabiate) and commonly arranged in dense spikes. Salvia leaves are usually found in pairs opposite one another on square stems, but the leaves may also be arranged singly on the stems of shrub species of Salvia.  Salvia foliage is aromatic, giving off a mint-like odor when crushed.  Sages of the genus Salvia should not be confused with sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata), which has none of these characteristics and is a member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae).

The characteristic of the genus Salvia that sets it apart from the rest of the mint family is the structure of its flowers. The stamens of these flowers form a lever and when a pollinator enters the flower, the lever causes the stamens to move and deposit pollen on the pollinator.  When that pollinator enters another flower of the same species, the stigma of the flower is situated so that it brushes against the pollen on the pollinator's body, virtually guaranteeing pollination!

In addition to stunning flowers, the handsome, fragrant Salvia foliage ranges in color from various shades of green to pale grey.  Additionally, many Salvias have an extended blooming season (some even lasting from spring through fall) and their flowers attract a wide variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.  Salvias also tolerate a wide variety of soils and many thrive in full sun, needing minimal water during our hot, dry summers.   These plants are also low maintenance and relatively disease and pest free.  A final, but certainly not insignificant plus for these plants is that they are generally deer resistant.  Apparently, the chemicals that give Salvia leaves their distinct, minty odor have a disagreeable taste, and the result is that deer rarely graze on them.  What's not to like about these tough, attractive plants?

Several Salvia species are on display at the Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden at the Patrick Ranch Museum.  Popular Salvias found at the Demonstration Garden include:  Black and Blue Sage (Salvia guarnitica), Creeping Sage (S. sonomensis), Hummingbird Sage (S. spathacea), Autumn Sage (S. greggii) and Cleveland Sage (S. clevelandii).

Black and Blue Sage has intense, deep blue flower petals with an almost black calyx (the leaf-like structure at the base of the flower); it blooms from summer through fall.  Found in the Butte All Stars section of the Demonstration Garden, it grows to a height of three to five feet, has light green leaves, and will grow in full sun or partial shade.  Although S. guarnitica prefers moderate irrigation, it can tolerate dry conditions.  It is a perennial in the valley and foothills, but is treated as an annual in areas where winter temperatures regularly drop below 20° F. 

Creeping Sage and ‘Bee's Bliss' Salvia are similar groundcovers.  Both are found in the California Native section of the Demonstration Garden. These evergreen perennials reach a height of four to six inches, and a single plant can spread 12 feet or more.  Their foliage is a pleasing silver-green.  They produce a profusion of blue-violet flower spikes from spring to early summer.  These plants are moderately drought tolerant and will grow in full or partial sun.

With its large, deep red, tubular flowers, Hummingbird Sage (S. spathacea) is literally a hummingbird magnet.  This California native is planted in the Mediterranean section of the Demonstration Garden, where it blooms from March to May.  It is an evergreen perennial with bright green, oblong leaves that can have a puckered appearance.  Hummingbird sage grows from one to three feet tall and up to three feet wide.  This plant will grow in full sun, but prefers partial shade, making it ideal for growing under oaks.  Once established, it requires very little water.

Autumn Sage may be one of the few plants that is best known by its scientific name, Salvia greggii.  This plant blooms from early summer through fall and flowers of S. greggii are usually some form of red, but can also be bicolor, white, pink, rose, purple and or orange.  It is an evergreen perennial, but can be winter dormant in colder areas.  It grows two to three feet tall and as wide.  Like many Salvias, Autumn Sage thrives in full sun and requires very little water.  There are several examples of S. greggii in the Demonstration Garden.

Cleveland Sage is a popular woody shrub that has small hairy grey-green leaves.  According to the Calscape website of the California Native Plant society, some consider Cleveland Sage to have the “most pleasantly fragrant foliage of any Salvia.”  The Native Plant section of our Demonstration Garden contains the cultivar Salvia clevelandii ‘Winifred Gilman', which has round clusters of intense violet-blue flowers that appear from late spring through summer.  Cleveland Sage reaches a height of three to four and a half feet, usually growing twice as wide as it is high.  It prefers an exposure in full sun or part shade and requires no summer water once it is established.

If you decide to include Salvias in your garden, they do best if they are planted in early fall.  This gives the plants time to establish a healthy root system before they have to contend with the hot days of summer.  They can also be planted in spring, but will need more attention and watering during the summer months. 

Many of these salvias will be available for purchase at the Master Gardeners Fall 2021 Plant Sale. The sale will be held on October 30, from 9am to 1pm at the Demonstration Garden at Patrick Ranch.  Along with the Plant Sale, there will be two workshops: “Gardening with Natives” at 10am, and “Berry and Grape Gardening” at 11am.  No registration is required for the outdoor workshops; Covid safety protocols will be followed.

UC Master Gardeners of Butte County are part of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) system. To learn more about us and our upcoming events, and for help with gardening in our area, visit our website.If you have a gardening question or problem, email the Hotline at mgbutte@ucanr.edu (preferred) or call (530) 538-7201.

One approach to dealing with drought conditions in the garden is to turn to native plants that are well-acclimated to our local environment.  Some gardeners new to planting natives may be concerned that these plants might require special care, but in general they need not worry. While some natives can be difficult in the garden, most are not, and many are very easy to grow.  By far the best time for planting natives is mid- September through late winter. The weather is cool, nature helps with irrigation, and roots have time to grow before the weather turns hot again.

Three local landscape designers specializing in native plants offer the following suggestions for “no fail natives.” In addition to being easy to care for, these particular plants give a threefold return on one's investment:  they are attractive, versatile, and provide valuable support for wildlife in the garden.

Eve Werner, landscape architect and owner of Eve's Garden Design, likes to use coffeeberry (Frangula californica) as a screen, background or hedgerow. Its blackish berries resemble coffee beans and are very attractive to birds. This evergreen shrub can grow to six to ten feet tall and wide although the cultivar ‘Eve Case' is smaller, only reaching about five feet. It is native to Butte County and grows in Upper Bidwell Park.  Werner says, “This adaptable plant thrives in full sun to shade with monthly to no summer irrigation.”

John Whittlesey, owner of Canyon Creek Nursery and Design, is a fan of Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii) for its “fragrant foliage, showy flowers that attract an array of pollinators, and extreme toughness for full sun and little water.” This woody perennial blooms in early summer with spikes of blue flowers in whorls around the stem.  Whittlesey suggests planting them with the robust matillija poppy in larger gardens, or with the white-flowered native yarrow in smaller gardens.  Cleveland sage grows three to five feet tall, although the cultivar ‘Winifred Gilman' is a little smaller.

Jason Mills, owner of Ecological Solutions, suggests, “If you're looking for an evergreen shrub, why not try giving the local and less commonly used hollyleaf redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia) a shot?” Hollyleaf redberry has small serrated leaves, resembling holly. It grows best in full sun or partial shade. The flowers are small and inconspicuous but develop into beautiful red fruit, which provide food for birds. It grows five to ten feet tall and needs no summer water once established.

Both Werner and Whittlesey recommend California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), one of several species of buckwheat that are native to California. Werner says, “California buckwheat is an evergreen shrub with a whimsical, mopsy form, much like baby's breath on steroids. Its pom-pom-like flowers bloom white in summer and then age from dusky pink to deep russet.” Whittlesey likes growing it in a sunny dry border with California fuchsia, penstemon, yarrow, sages, flax and grasses. It attracts many native bees when blooming. California buckwheat grows to about 3 feet tall and wide and needs no summer water once established.

Mills and Whittlesey like using the large perennial bunch grass deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens). Whittlesey says, “I use deergrass to bring a rhythm and flow into a garden. When in flower in later summer, it has a stronger architectural form which holds through the winter months. It combines readily in front of larger shrubs or as a foil for small shrubs and perennials.” Deergrass forms a dense clump to 4 feet tall and wide in full sun or light shade.

Growing natives can be easy if you give careful consideration to the plant's cultural requirements. Mills states, “In the end it all comes down to putting the right plant in the right spot. We look to nature and try to match the conditions (substrate, moisture, light exposure) found in remaining intact habitats when we create our designs and implement native landscapes. When you get it right, you'll know, as they thrive for years to come with little to no water and maintenance and provide crucial resources for wildlife along the way.”

UC Master Gardeners of Butte County are part of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) system. To learn more about us and our upcoming events, and for help with gardening in our area, visit our website. If you have a gardening question or problem, email the Hotline at mgbutte@ucanr.edu (preferred) or call (530) 538-7201.

By Cindy Weiner, UC Master Gardener of Butte Count, November 16, 2018

One approach to dealing with drought conditions in the garden is to turn to native plants that are well-acclimated to our local environment. Some gardeners new to planting natives may be concerned that these plants might require special care, but in general they need not worry. While some natives can be difficult in the garden, most are not, and many are very easy to grow. Three local landscape designers specializing in native plants offer the following suggestions for “no fail natives.” In addition to being easy to care for, these particular plants give a threefold return on one's investment: they are attractive, versatile, and provide valuable support for wildlife in the garden.

Eve Werner, landscape architect and owner of Eve's Garden Design, likes to use coffeeberry (Frangula californica) as a screen, background or hedgerow. Its blackish berries resemble coffee beans and are very attractive to birds. This evergreen shrub can grow to six to ten feet tall and wide although the cultivar ‘Eve Case' is smaller, only reaching about five feet. It is native to Butte County and grows in Upper Bidwell Park. Werner says, “This adaptable plant thrives in full sun to shade with monthly to no summer irrigation.”

John Whittlesey, owner of Canyon Creek Nursery and Design, is a fan of Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii) for its “fragrant foliage, showy flowers that attract an array of pollinators, and extreme toughness for full sun and little water.” This woody perennial blooms in early summer with spikes of blue flowers in whorls around the stem. Whittlesey suggests planting them with the robust matillija poppy in larger gardens, or with the white-flowered native yarrow in smaller gardens. Cleveland sage grows three to five feet tall, although the cultivar ‘Winifred Gilman' is a little smaller.

Jason Mills, owner of Ecological Solutions, suggests, “If you're looking for an evergreen shrub, why not try giving the local and less commonly used hollyleaf redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia) a shot?” Hollyleaf redberry has small serrated leaves, resembling holly. It grows best in full sun or partial shade. The flowers are small and inconspicuous but develop into beautiful red fruit, which provide food for birds. It grows five to ten feet tall and needs no summer water once established.

Both Werner and Whittlesey recommend California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), one of several species of buckwheat that are native to California. Werner says, “California buckwheat is an evergreen shrub with a whimsical, mopsy form, much like baby's breath on steroids. Its pom-pom-like flowers bloom white in summer and then age from dusky pink to deep russet.” Whittlesey likes growing it in a sunny dry border with California fuchsia, penstemon, yarrow, sages, flax and grasses. It attracts many native bees when blooming. California buckwheat grows to about 3 feet tall and wide and needs no summer water once established.

Mills and Whittlesey like using the large perennial bunch grass deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens). Whittlesey says, “I use deergrass to bring a rhythm and flow into a garden. When in flower in later summer, it has a stronger architectural form which holds through the winter months. It combines readily in front of larger shrubs or as a foil for small shrubs and perennials.” Deergrass forms a dense clump to 4 feet tall and wide in full sun or light shade.

Growing natives can be easy if you give careful consideration to the plant's cultural requirements. Mills states, “In the end it all comes down to putting the right plant in the right spot. We look to nature and try to match the conditions (substrate, moisture, light exposure) found in remaining intact habitats when we create our designs and implement native landscapes. When you get it right, you'll know, as they thrive for years to come with little to no water and maintenance and provide crucial resources for wildlife along the way.”

 

By Cindy Weiner, Butte County Master Gardener, July 29, 2016. 

One approach to dealing with drought conditions in the garden is to turn to native plants that are well-acclimated to our local environment.  Some gardeners new to planting natives may be concerned that these plants might require special care, but in general they need not worry. While some natives can be difficult in the garden, most are not, and many are very easy to grow. Three local landscape designers specializing in native plants offer the following suggestions for “no fail natives.” In addition to being easy to care for, these particular plants give a threefold return on one's investment:  they are attractive, versatile, and provide valuable support for wildlife in the garden.

Eve Werner, landscape architect and owner of Eve's Garden Design, likes to use coffeeberry (Frangula californica) as a screen, background or hedgerow. Its blackish berries resemble coffee beans and are very attractive to birds. This evergreen shrub can grow to six to ten feet tall and wide although the cultivar ‘Eve Case' is smaller, only reaching about five feet. It is native to Butte County and grows in Upper Bidwell Park.  Werner says, “This adaptable plant thrives in full sun to shade with monthly to no summer irrigation.”

John Whittlesey, owner of Canyon Creek Nursery and Design, is a fan of Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii) for its “fragrant foliage, showy flowers that attract an array of pollinators, and extreme toughness for full sun and little water.” This woody perennial blooms in early summer with spikes of blue flowers in whorls around the stem.  Whittlesey suggests planting them with the robust matillija poppy in larger gardens, or with the white-flowered native yarrow in smaller gardens.  Cleveland sage grows three to five feet tall, although the cultivar ‘Winifred Gilman' is a little smaller.

Jason Mills, owner of Ecological Solutions, suggests, “If you're looking for an evergreen shrub, why not try giving the local and less commonly used hollyleaf redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia) a shot?” Hollyleaf redberry has small serrated leaves, resembling holly. It grows best in full sun or partial shade. The flowers are small and inconspicuous but develop into beautiful red fruit, which provide food for birds. It grows five to ten feet tall and needs no summer water once established.

Both Werner and Whittlesey recommend California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), one of several species of buckwheat that are native to California. Werner says, “California buckwheat is an evergreen shrub with a whimsical, mopsy form, much like baby's breath on steroids. Its pom-pom-like flowers bloom white in summer and then age from dusky pink to deep russet.” Whittlesey likes growing it in a sunny dry border with California fuchsia, penstemon, yarrow, sages, flax and grasses. It attracts many native bees when blooming. California buckwheat grows to about 3 feet tall and wide and needs no summer water once established.

Mills and Whittlesey like using the large perennial bunch grass deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens). Whittlesey says, “I use deergrass to bring a rhythm and flow into a garden. When in flower in later summer, it has a stronger architectural form which holds through the winter months. It combines readily in front of larger shrubs or as a foil for small shrubs and perennials.” Deergrass forms a dense clump to 4 feet tall and wide in full sun or light shade.

Growing natives can be easy if you give careful consideration to the plant's cultural requirements. Mills states, “In the end it all comes down to putting the right plant in the right spot. We look to nature and try to match the conditions (substrate, moisture, light exposure) found in remaining intact habitats when we create our designs and implement native landscapes. When you get it right, you'll know, as they thrive for years to come with little to no water and maintenance and provide crucial resources for wildlife along the way.”