Hummingbird sage is a native perennial herbaceous plant that grows 1-3 feet tall and spreads through underground stems. It has large, arrow-shaped leaves that are bright to dark green and very fragrant. From early spring to fall, it produces brightly colored magenta flower heads that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Hummingbird sage is drought tolerant and thrives in full sun or partial shade, making it suitable for water-wise gardens, coastal areas, and under trees. It can be propagated from seed, rhizome divisions, or semi-hardwood cuttings.

1. Hummingbird Sage – Salvia spathacea (SAL-vee-uh spath-ay-SEE-uh)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Native to: Central Washington through Southern California, including Santa Monica Mountains. Grows in
open or shady places in coastal hills/valleys, coastal oak woodland, coastal scrub and chaparral.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-3 ft mature width: patch: 1-5+ ft.
Short colonial groundcover that spreads by underground stems (rhizomes). Leaves are large, arrow-
shaped and bright to dark green (darken with age). Leaves are wrinkled and fuzzy. Foliage very
fragrant – somewhat minty but a scent unique to this species.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms from early Spring to Fall. Flower stalks rise above leaves from early spring to fall.
Flower heads are large, conspicuous and brightly colored. Flowers are brilliant magenta.
Uses in the garden: Great in aroma and butterfly gardens. As its name implies, it routinely attracts
hummingbirds. Stalks make nice cut flowers. Works well as a ground cover on hillsides, coastal bluffs
and under trees. Can be grown in containers and planters. Plants are drought tolerant so good choice for
water-wise gardens. Delicious hot or iced tea can be made from the leaves.
Sensible substitute for: non-native ornamental mints.
Attracts: hummingbirds (pollinators); butterflies; seed-eating birds; ground feeding birds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun (along coast), partial shade to shade.
Soil Likes well drained soils, but will tolerate clay
Water Once or twice a month; let dry out between waterings
Fertilizer Prefers somewhat rich organic soil; amend with mulch, compost
Other Tolerates salt-spray
Management: prune back almost to the ground in fall to remove old flower stalks; can give a light
pruning in late summer if looking ragged.
Propagation: from seed: bag seed heads to catch seeds, shake dry seeds into paper bag. Keep dry/cool.
Plant fall or spring in pot or garden soil. By rhizome divisions: easy. By semi-softwood cuttings: root in
water (no hormones needed) in glass jar. Plant in pots when roots emerge.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 8, 9, 11-14, 19, 20, 24, 25 1/12/15
© Project SOUND

2. Salvia spathacea
Hummingbird sage