Lepechinia fragrans, Fragrant Pitcher Sage

This fragrant sage relative is found in the wild in open areas of chaparral, dry ravines, and rocky slopes. Softly hairy and strongly fragrant, this woody perennial grows around 4 to 5 feet tall and wide. Showy, lavender-purple, wide-mouthed, tubular flowers bloom in spring and summer, providing resources for bumble bees, hummingbirds, butterflies and moths. Fragrant pitcher sage grows fast in full to part sun and is adaptable to different soils. It will be drought tolerant once established. Pinching back the foliage helps form a dense growth habit but use caution not to over-prune older woody growth. Evergreen; Endemic to California; Deer resistant.