Photo of Salvia leucophylla foliage by The Watershed Nursery

Photo by The Watershed Nursery

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Salvia leucophylla

Also Known As

  • Purple Sage

Plant type

shrub, perennial

size

  • H: 4'
  • W: 4'

planting zones

  • 6a-10b

More Options

Salvia leucophylla plant details

Salvia leucophylla is a broadleaf evergreen perennial shrub with blue foliage. In summer purple flowers emerge. Features fuzzy texture. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in clay and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Salvia leucophylla

Plant type: perennial shrub
Plant family: lamiaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 4 FT wide, 4 FT tall
Flowers: purple blooms in summer
Uses: fragrant, medicinal, xeric, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Salvia leucophylla

USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: low
Resistant to: deer, heat
Soil needs: clay and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Ratko collections from 3,150'; dry open grassy areas above the headwaters of Figueroa Creek, in warm climates this will form a 3'x5' fuzzy leaved, woody based evergreen sub shrubs. Short scapes with whorls of large rose pink flowers marked with violet, very showy, in colder areas it may persist as a dieback, here it needs a greenhouse. ZONE 7
Purple sage is a fragrant evergreen shrub that grows 3-5' tall and 6-8' wide. This exceptionally hardy and drought tolerant plant is used extensively in native plant and low-water landscaping. Purple sage is a showy silver-leaved shrub with pungent fragrance and light-purple flowers in spikes. It forms neat mounds and likes full sun and good drainage. Purple sage blooms May through July Excellent low hedge, coastal or inland. Endemic to California. Bumblebees, hawk moths, and wasps pollinate white sage, and hummingbirds also appear to like the plant. No Historical Uses found. Found in dry hillsides and in gravely soils. Communities located in Coastal Sage Scrub Between 160 and 2600 feet.
Emblematic of the Western landscape, this native of the Southern Coastal California & Baja is a real find for dry, heavy clay. The flowers are light purple & showy from May to July. The leaves are crinkly, grey, nicely aromatic & have the same medicinal attributes as Salvia officinalis- useful for treating coughs & sore throats. These seed-grown plants may be variable but they are generally expected to make a rounded shrub 4’ tall & 4’ wide. Useful as a xeriscape specimen or even as a hedge. Don’t water after it has become established or you will get a rank-growing & falling-apart 8’ monster. Very attractive to bees, butterflies & hummingbirds & the seeds are a favorite of quails.

Gardening facts about Salvia leucophylla plant

How to Grow Salvia leucophylla

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • low - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • clay
    • adaptable
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • purple
  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • bees
    • butterflies
    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • fuzzy
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