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Salvia spathacea

hummingbird sage

Coastal California and northern Baja California

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (strong)Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Salvia spathacea is a rhizomatous, evergreen perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae), spreading into low colonies of basal foliage with flower stalks rising 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall. The arrow-shaped, deeply textured leaves are 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long, deep green, sticky, and release a fruity scent when brushed. From spring into early summer thick, square stems carry tiered whorls of tubular, two-lipped flowers in magenta to rose-red, each about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and held above dark reddish bracts. The flowers draw hummingbirds and bees. Unlike most sages, it tolerates part shade and spreads by underground rhizomes to form a groundcover over time. It grows naturally in coastal scrub, oak woodland, and chaparral edges in California. One limitation is its spreading habit, which can exceed its intended area, along with its sensitivity to hard frost outside mild-winter regions.

Native Range

Salvia spathacea is native to California, mostly in the coastal ranges from the San Francisco Bay Area south to Baja California, Mexico. It grows in oak woodland, coastal scrub, and chaparral, often in part shade.

Suggested Uses

Salvia spathacea is used as a groundcover in dry shade, in native and pollinator gardens, and on banks under oaks and other trees. Its scented foliage and hummingbird flowers suit woodland edges and informal borders. The spreading rhizomes make it better suited to naturalized areas than to confined beds.

How to Identify

Large arrow-shaped leaves 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long are deep green, sticky, and fruity-scented when brushed. Square flower stems 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall carry tiered whorls of magenta to rose-red tubular flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long above dark bracts. The large, scented basal leaves and rhizomatous, shade-tolerant habit separate it from other California sages, which are shrubby and gray-leaved.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs from mid-spring into early summer, generally March to June, with scattered later bloom in mild climates. The tiered whorls open in sequence up each stem over several weeks. Spent stalks hold their dark bracts after the flowers fade.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

magenta to rose-red

Foliage Description

deep green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-8 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Reaches mature size in 2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Salvia spathacea grows in full sun on the coast to part shade inland, in well-drained soil with occasional summer water. It tolerates dry shade under oaks, where it needs little irrigation, and spreads faster with some moisture and richer soil. The rhizomes form expanding colonies, so it fills space as a groundcover. It withstands drought once established but suffers in soggy soil and hard freezes. Few pests trouble it, though powdery mildew can appear in dense shade. Dividing clumps in fall renews vigor and controls spread.

Pruning

Spent flower stalks are cut back after bloom to tidy the planting, or left standing for seed and bract interest. Tattered or frost-damaged leaves are removed in late winter before new growth. Dividing the rhizomes in fall keeps the colony to its intended area.