Salvia apiana, White Sage

This is the sacred sage of the indigenous peoples. It grows 3 to 5 feet high and 3 to 6 feet wide. This aromatic shrub has spectacular large white leaves. The densely hair-covered leaves start out greener but turn whiter as they age. The even more spectacular tall flower spikes produce large white flowers that bees love.  It is very drought tolerant, grows in full sun or part shade, and is not too fussy about soil type.

Winter, Spring, and Summer can bring the flower stalks that can reach up to 8 feet high. The flower spikes hold about 100 white flowers with tiny light purple spots and streaks, and from a distance may appear to have a purplish tint.

Very easy to care for; extremely low to very low water needed. Once established, maximum summer watering is recommended 1x / month. But since it is semi-summer deciduous, the less water during the summer the better. Watering during the summer can shorten its life. It is drought-tolerant once established.

One of our most important native plants and a great food source for many native insects, especially butterflies, moths; bees, especially bumble bees and carpenter bees; and hummingbirds.

Flower stalks may be removed when finished flowering in late Summer. Leaving them up longer may allow one to see what other insects and birds may make use of them after they’ve dried.