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Salvia mellifera * Black Sage

You can smell the foliage oils of Salvia mellifera as you walk by without even touching the plant.  This scent brings back childhood memories of running down trails hurdling the branches that stuck out over the trail.  The white flowers stand out when they are visible against the dark bumpy leaves.  In the garden setting care must be taken not to water too much in the summer.  Salvia mellifera can withstand winter rainfall but not living in a bog.  Naturally the Black Sage is found on South and West facing slopes on rocky soil in California's coastal sage scrub plant community.  Care must be taken in fire prone areas as the Black Sage burns quite well.  There is a low growing selection of Salvia mellifera, Salvia tera seca, that is more fire safe due to the low stature of the plants.  Salvia leucophylla, Salvia mellifera, and Salvia apiana hybridize freely.  Some of the crosses have beautiful flower and foliage textural attributes from each of their parents.  Salvia mellifera is a great addition to the hummingbird garden as well as the butterfly garden.

Salvia mellifera

 

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Last modified: Sunday, April 15, 2007