Salvia leucophylla aka Purple Sage

Salvia leucophylla is an evergreen shrub. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Common names include purple sage and chaparral sage. It grows wild from southwestern California into Baja California, Mexico. The climate in this range is subtropical. The shrub forms a bushy mound. Its branches grow upright or arch out. Its pale leaves and soft flower hues suit informal gardens.

In gardens, it grows about 3–5 feet [1–1.5 metres] tall and wide. Virginia Tech records a height of 6 feet [1.8 metres]. Branches can root where they touch the soil. This helps the shrub spread past its main stems. The bark is grey-brown. Young twigs range from red-brown to grey-brown. They bear woolly hairs. Leaves grow in pairs, with oval to triangular shapes. They reach about 0.25 feet [0.08 metres] long. Woolly hairs coat both sides of each leaf. The leaves look grey-green or blue-green and have a scent.

Soft purple-pink blooms appear in summer. They grow in whorls, or rings, along loose spikes. These spikes reach about 0.67 feet [0.20 metres] long. Each flower can reach 0.04 feet [0.013 metres] in length. Long stamens and pistils reach past the petals. Virginia Tech also notes the blooms have a strong scent. Small, shiny nutlets form in husks once the blooms fade. The leaves stay through winter. The RHS also calls the plant semi-evergreen.

This sage grows best in full sun. It can also cope with some shade. Use soil of moderate fertility that drains well. Chalk, loam and sand all suit it. It accepts acidic, neutral and alkaline soil. The RHS advises moist soil. It notes that plants need less water once established. Its UK hardiness rating is H5. Plants reach full size in two to five years. Cut off spent flower spikes to help prolong bloom. Divide plants in spring, or take semi-ripe cuttings in summer.

Use it in borders, courtyard gardens or pots. The RHS also lists wildlife gardens as a use. It lists Mediterranean-style planting, too. Most pests cause few problems. Diseases may include powdery mildew and verticillium wilt. Foot and root rots can occur as well. Honey fungus poses a less frequent risk. The supplied sources give no firm advice on safety. They do not say whether it is edible or toxic.