Salvia mellifera or Black sage

Care of the shrub Salvia mellifera or Black sage

The genus Salvia, family Lamiaceae, comprises 1,000 species of shrubs and herbaceous plants native to Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean region, and Central and South America. Some species are: Salvia mellifera, Salvia leucantha, Salvia lanceolata, Salvia guaranitica, Salvia greggii, Salvia farinacea, Salvia disermas, Salvia canariensis, Salvia aurea, Salvia apiana, Salvia africana, Salvia scabra, Salvia namaensis, Salvia microphylla, Salvia mexicana, Salvia splendens, Salvia vaseyi, Salvia leucophylla, Salvia sclarea, Salvia nemorosa, Salvia officinalis, Salvia fruticosa, Salvia elegans.

Common names: Black sage, Seel. This species is native to California and Baja California.

They are compact shrubs that reach 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) in height and 3 meters (9.84 feet) in width. The leaves are aromatic and bright deep green; in summer they can darken and roll in on themselves due to drought. The flowers appear in clusters and can be white, pale blue, lavender, or pale pink. They can bloom from late winter to early summer.

They are used to cover dry and sunny slopes, to create windbreaks, as isolated specimens and to form bushy groups combined with plants such as: Eriogonum fasciculatum, Trichostema lanatum, Artemisa californica, Yucca and Cactaceae.

Salvia mellifera prefers full sun exposure but tolerates partial shade. They resist frosts down to -1 ºC (30.2 ºF).

These plants can be grown in any type of soil but prefer well-drained soils. If the soil is very heavy and holds a lot of water they can turn yellow and die.

They resist drought very well. Water moderately, waiting until the soil has dried. In winter they can keep up with the rains.

Fertilizers are not necessary.

They can be pruned in the fall to maintain a compact appearance.

They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases.

They are propagated from seeds sown in spring (soak for an hour).