Description

This is a sage of the Great Basin, with scattered populations spilling over into California in the far Northeast corner of the state and the Mojave Desert. It is a low mounding shrub to about three feet in height and width with silvery foliage and violet flowers. The stems of the desert sage are nearly white maturing to gray with age. It thrives in sunny locations in well-draining, gritty soils and plenty of sun. The aroma is quite distinct from other California sages, though similar to that of rose sage, Salvia pachyphylla. In the SF Bay Area, plant desert sage in plenty of sun, perhaps in a location where it will receive additional reflected light and radiant heat. A site on the south side of a decorative boulder is a good choice.