Salvia 'Pozo Blue'

Also Known As

Salvia leucophylla x clevelandii 'Pozo Blue'
Native Butterfly Bush

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 3'-6'
W: 3'-6'

planting zones

7b-10b

More Options

Salvia 'Pozo Blue' plant details

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

CHARACTERISTICS OF Salvia 'Pozo Blue'

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: lamiaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 3 FT - 6 FT - wide, 3 FT - 6 FT - tall
Flowers: blue blooms in summer
Uses: fragrant, rock garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Salvia 'Pozo Blue'

USDA Zones: 7b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer, seaside / salt
Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, lean and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Hailed as one of the most drought tolerant plants in the trade, this tough-as-nails evergreen Salvia can handle a California summer without water, sandy or clay soil in either coastal, mountainous or desert gardens, and sports good looks to boot. Masses of sparkling blue-violet flowers populate spaced ball-shaped clusters atop a rounded, somewhat woody frame with aromatic ashy green leaves. A chance seedling of Salvia clevelandii and Salvia leucophylla selected by Las Palitas Nursery owner Bert Wilson, 'Pozo Blue' makes a handsome addition to fresh or dried arrangements, as well as rocky banks and dry borders, while attracting butterflies, California Quail, hummingbirds, and plant enthusiasts. It can handle a California summer without water and sandy or clay soil in either coastal, mountainous or desert gardens.

By: Digging Dog Nursery

Pozo Blue' is an evergreen shrub that can grow to about 6' tall with a spread of about 8', but can be kept smaller. Perfect plant as a colorful backdrop or a stand-alone accent when mixed with smaller forbs. It is a favorite of hummingbirds. In spring, expect a prolific burst of purple-blue blooms along spikes. This sage wants full sun, and is drought tolerant when established. Cultivars such as this are horticultural selections and hybrids, not part of the native ecology but work beautifully in the garden. Great wildlife plant. It is a favorite of hummingbirds. A hybrid of Salvia clevelandii x Salvia leucophylla.

By: The Watershed Nursery

Found as a seedling at the famous CA native plants nursery Las Pilitas, ‘Pozo Blue’ is a natural hybrid. It inherited S. leucophylla’s extreme toughness & S. clevelandii’s scented foliage (although to discerning noses, the scent is not as strong & perhaps a tad “greener”). A fine plant in its own right, it has become a favorite substitute of “Cleveland Sage” when your soil is not to “Cleveland's” liking or if you find the scent of S. clevelandii too strong. It grows to 3-6' tall & wide with very grey foliage. The flowers are light violet blue, a favorite of hummingbirds & butterflies. Las Pilitas calls this plant “The Native Butterfly Bush”. It is extremely cold tolerant (down to 5°F) though its brittle stems do not do well with heavy snow. Tolerant of 5-35" of rainfall, it grows in many soils from sand to heavy clay soil & is not damaged by salt spray near the ocean. One tough plant!