1. Fragrant (Chaparral; Cleveland’s) Sage – Salvia clevelandii
(SAL-vee-uh kleev-LAN-dee-eye)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: Coastal and mountains from Orange Co. to N. Baja; dry slopes in chaparral and coastal sage
scrub.
Growth characteristics: clumping woody shrub mature height: 2-5 ft. mature width: 3-6 ft.
Rounded, semi-woody shrub with gray-green foliage and strong aroma. Leaves wrinkled, strongly
veined (pebbly-texture), lighter beneath, lost in summer drought. Plant may become sprawling.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms Apr-July for about 4-6 weeks. Flowers blue/purple, in clusters around stems
that rise above foliage. Very showy – lots of flowers.
Uses in the garden: Excellent foundation plant and along south/west-facing walls. Lovely in back of
perennial beds or in natural areas. Fine in large containers. Plant where you can enjoy scent as well as
showy flowers. Good foliage color and texture. Can be used as cut flower.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native perennial (bush) Salvias; other mounded shrubs.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover, seeds. Nectar used by hummingbirds & butterflies.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun; part-shade in very hot gardens
Soil Any well-drained
Water No to little summer water; summer watering retains leaves, but encourages stem growth.
Fertilizer None; too much nitrogen encourages vegetative growth
Other May benefit from organic mulch
Management: Fairly easy. Prune back in winter (do not prune into woody stems) to shape and
remove dead stems. Removing dead flowers can encourage second blooms. Don’t over-water.
Propagation: from seed: yes, in fall by cuttings: semi-softwood; during growing season
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 8-11, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 24, 27, 28 1/19/15
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county © Project SOUND