1. Chia Sage – Salvia columbariae var. columbariae
(SAL-vee-uh kol-um-BAR-ee-ay)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: Dry mountains, Sonoran, Chihuahuan and Mojave deserts and coastal areas of much of
CA, AZ and N. Mexico, Baja; Dry, disturbed sites, chaparral, coastal-sage scrub and other scrub.
herbaceous annual mature height: 1-3 ft.
mature width:
Grows from a cluster of mostly basal leaves. Leaves are highly dissected. Dies in summer.
Growth characteristics:
1-2 ft.
Blooms Mar-June depending on winter rains. Short bloom season – best to mass.
Small, purple or deep blue “Salvia” flowers with prominent upper and lower lips at the top of leafless
stems. Very attractive flower. Seeds are edible and were highly prized by Native Californians.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Stunning annual for native wildflower garden/meadow, in flower beds, on slopes
and in rock gardens.
Fine in large containers. Excellent as habitat and for edible seeds.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native salvias and other non-native blue-flowered annuals.
Excellent habitat plant: bees, hummingbirds and butterflies drink nectar. Provides cover
and seeds for food for birds and small animals. Good living food for Desert Tortoise.
Attracts:
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun
Any well-drained
Moderate to no supplemental watering; stop watering after flowering to allow seeds
to mature
None needed
Management:
Relatively easy to grow. Will reseed on bare ground (if the birds don’t eat all your
seeds).
Propagation: from seed: in Fall on bare ground. Rake in lightly.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 5, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16
12/14/10
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