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Black Sage (Salvia mellifera)

Black Sage (Salvia mellifera)

Regular price $8.00
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Black sage is the most common sage in California. Though less showy than other salvia species and cultivars, it is an important food source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The flowers are small and pale blue-lavender in color. After blooming, black sage seeds provide food for birds, including quail and towhees.

A black sage shrub can grow up to 6 feet tall and 10 feet wide. In the garden, this aromatic plant prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It is a low-moisture plant, requiring no supplemental water once established. It is usual for the small, dark green leaves to curl during summer drought.

Description from Calscape

Bloom periods WinterSpringSummer
Common name Black Sage
Ecological benefits Drought tolerantAttracts pollinatorsAttracts birdsAttracts wildlife
Ecological function GroundcoverHedgeBank stabilization
Growth rate moderate
Lifespan Perennial
Plant dormancy evergreen, summer semi-deciduous, summer deciduous
Plant type Shrub
Skill level Beginner
Species name Salvia mellifera
Sun exposure Full
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