Salvia dorrii
Dorr's sage
Overview
Salvia dorrii is a low, rounded, aromatic shrub of the western United States, growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and slightly wider, with woody lower stems. The leaves are silvery grey-green, spoon-shaped, 0.5-1.5 inches (1-4 cm) long, covered in short hairs and crowded along the stems. From May to July the stems carry whorled clusters of two-lipped blue to violet flowers about 0.5 inch (12 mm) long, set against rounded purple to reddish bracts that hold color before and after bloom. The whole plant releases a strong sage scent when brushed. Salvia dorrii grows in dry, open sagebrush flats, rocky slopes, and gravelly desert soils across the Great Basin and Mojave region. It tolerates drought, heat, cold, and poor soil once established but rots in wet or poorly drained ground. The flowers draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in late spring. Plants reach full size in 2 to 3 years and grow loose and open in shade or rich soil. It stays compact and dense in lean, sunny, dry sites.
Native Range
Salvia dorrii is native to the western United States, across the Great Basin and Mojave Desert from Washington and Idaho south to California and Arizona. It grows in dry sagebrush flats, rocky slopes, and gravelly desert soils.Suggested Uses
Salvia dorrii is used in dry native plantings, rock gardens, and low-water landscapes, spaced 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) apart. Its drought tolerance and aromatic foliage suit hot, sunny, gravelly sites. It is grown for pollinators in xeriscape and desert gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue to violetFoliage Description
silvery grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Salvia dorrii grows in full sun and dry, sharply drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil of low fertility. It tolerates drought, heat, and cold once established and rots in wet or poorly drained ground. Water is needed only during the first season and in extreme drought. The plant needs no fertilizer and grows loose and open in rich soil or shade. Light shearing after bloom keeps the form dense. It is short-lived in humid climates and heavy soils, lasting longer in dry, lean conditions.Pruning
Plants are sheared lightly after flowering to keep a compact form, cutting into green growth rather than bare wood. Dead stems are removed in spring. Hard cutting into old woody growth is left undone, as the plant resprouts poorly from bare wood.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons