Purple Sage
Purple sage (Salvia leucophylla)
General information:
Purple sage is native to the Southern California coast, and Baja California. Purple sage is known for being a resilient plant, as it can tolerate surviving with little to no water. Thus making it an ideal plant for drought ridden areas!
Appearance:
Purple sage leaves tend to appear grey-green and typically are 1-3 inches long. Purple sages have “spikes” where their flowers bloom out of. The flowers can be purple, pink and/or lavender. Purple sage is highly aromatic, thus attracting several types of pollinators. Purple sage is a shrub type of plant, thus making it an ideal choice for groundcover!
Plant growth, season, and dormancy:
Purple sage can grow between 2-5 feet tall, and 3-10 feet wide. This plant grows rapidly, and mostly remains evergreen throughout the year. Its flowering seasons are spring and summer.
Landscaping information:
Purple sage thrive with full sunlight, and are a low moisture plant. This plant drains at a rapid rate, which contributes to their drought tolerance. Due to their rapid draining and low moisture, they can be watered less often, and it is recommended to only water them around two times a month. They are extremely cold tolerant, as they can withstand temperatures as low as 0ºF-10ºF. Their optimal soil p.H. level is anywhere between 5-8.
How to use:
Purple sage can be utilized to aid in the following: bank stabilization, groundcover, hedges, and in pollinator corridors.
Pollinators helped:
-Hummingbirds
-Bees
-Moths
