Water Wise Plants

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Salvia spathacea

Pronunciation

SAL-vee-a spa-THAY-see-a

Common Name

Hummingbird Sage

Plant Type

Perennial

Mature Size

1-2 ft high x spreading

Water Requirements

Very Low: water deeply several times a summer

Sun/Shade Requirements

Full to half sun, shade

Wildlife

Hummingbirds

Flower Color

Red

Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Salvia spathacea is a California native plant with an unusually (for California natives) lush appearance. The leaves of this plant are large and can grow up to a foot in length.

The plant spreads by underground rhizomes and can eventually cover a large area. Hummingbird sage can make a colorful ground cover in dry, shady conditions.

From spring until fall, flowering stems appear above the foliage. The flower clusters are spaced evenly along the stems creating a bold vertical accent. Light pruning after blooming will help keep this plant neat.

PADG Notes: In the PADG Water Wise Garden, we found that too much summer sun burned the leaves and made the plant unattractive. Also, our hummingbird sage spread more aggressively than had been anticipated. A few runners were replanted to shadier spots under oak trees and will be monitored carefully.

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