Hummingbird Sage

Mon, 04/12/2010 - 5:49pm — Cristine Mortensen

Photo Credit:

Cristine Mortensen

Botanical Name:

Salvia spathacea

Pronunciation:

SAL-vee-a spa-THAY-see-a

Common Name:

Hummingbird Sage

Plant Type:

Perennial

Mature Size:

1-2 ft high x spreading

Water Requirements:

Very Low: water deeply several times a summer

Sun/Shade Requirements:

Full to half sun, shade

Flower Color :

Red

Wildlife:

Attracts hummingbirds

Salvia spathacea is a California native plant with an unusually (for California natives) lush appearance. The large leaved foliage grows to a height of approximately one foot. The plant spreads by underground rhizomes and can eventually cover a large area. Hummingbird sage can make a colorful ground cover in dry, shady conditions.

From spring until fall flowering stems appear above the foliage. The flower clusters are spaced evenly along the stems creating a bold vertical accent. Light pruning after blooming will help keep this plant neat.

In the Water Wise Garden, we found that too much summer sun burned the leaves and made the plant unattractive. Also, we found that our hummingbird sage spread more aggressively than we had anticipated. A few runners were replanted to shadier spots under oak trees and we will be monitoring them carefully.