The botanical name Salvia comes from the Latin name ‘salvare’ which means to save or to heal, alluding to the medicinal properties of the plant. Salvias come in the form of shrubs, or subshrubs and are usually perennial here in zone 8. All salvias have highly aromatic leaves and tubular flowers that come out in spikes ranging in color from blue, scarlet, purple, pink, white, or yellow. Even the common sage used for cooking blooms incredible blue flowers in spring.
Salvia is a diverse genus of plants with over 900 species from various regions around the world and nearly every continent. They play an important role in supporting pollinators. Their tubular flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, but also to bees and butterflies. Heat, drought, and full sun don’t bother most salvias too much, especially the ones native to Mexico, the Mediterranean and the southwest Unites States, as they have evolved with these conditions.
Salvia elegans, aka pineapple sage, is a striking plant known for its bright red blooms and pineapple scented foliage. It can be used to flavor teas and salads, while the flowers can be used as an attractive garnish. Size is 4’x3’. It prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Water regularly, especially during dry, hot periods. Hardy to only about 20 degrees but is worth replanting every year. Container or in-ground planting? Yes!
Salvia officinalis, aka garden sage or common sage, is prized for culinary and medicinal use. Common sage is a perennial herb with height of 3’x3’ Hardy in zones 4-10. It prefers well drained soil and full sun. Blossoms are blue to purple, occurring in spring. Can dry out between waterings. Container or in-ground planting? Yes!
Salvia coccinea, aka tropical sage, scarlet sage, or hummingbird sage. Grows 3’x2’ feet tall and wide. The flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly especially during dry, hot periods. Hardy to 20 degrees but worth replanting every year. Container or in-ground planting? Yes!
Salvia microphylla, aka baby sage, little leaf sage, hot lips sage or Graham’s sage. Adorned by distinctive, brilliantly colored flowers that make ‘Hot Lips’ salvia a special selection. Blooms from spring until hard frost in fall. The plant makes a small shrub with age and thrives in poor soils with plenty of heat and sun. Hardy to 0 degrees and grows 3’x4’ tall and wide. Prefers moist and well drained soils. Container or in-ground planting? Yes!
Salvia chamaedryoides, aka Mexican blue sage or germander sage. Grows 2’x3’ tall and wide. This small, drought-tolerant, grey-leaved salvia, forms a nice mass of upright branches, topped with true cobalt-blue flowers from early summer through early fall. Prefers full sun and a well-drained site in the border or rock garden. Hardy to 0 degrees. Planting in-ground is best but containers are okay.
Salvia clevelandii, aka Cleveland sage or chaparral sage. The small gray-green leaves have a very strong herbal fragrance, as do the whorls of purple flowers. It is native to chaparral and coastal sage scrub in southern California, where it survives on annual rainfall alone. Plant Cleveland sage in well-drained sites in full sun. In-ground planting is best for this plant as it can reach size of 4’x8’ tall and wide.
Salvia greggii, aka autumn sage or cherry sage. Salvia greggii is a most popular, usually evergreen, sub-shrub. It likes full sun to part shade. Grows 3’x3’. Very attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. Hardy to 0 degrees. Very heat tolerant but needs water 1-2 times per week especially during the hottest and driest time of year. Containers or in ground? Yes!
There are so many other sages that are worth planting in your gardens that I could go on and on.
Any hardy sages can be planted now. Come by the nursery to see what sage selections you can find. Happy winter into spring gardening!