The other Sages native to California
Other stinky things that are also called sages but are not.
(For the true native Salivas go here.)Pitcher sages
These aren't real sages but they are related. They are fragrant and have large flowers.
Lepechinia fragrans, Wallaces Pitcher sage
is a little bit softer than California pitcher sage as it comes from more coastal climates.It can tolerate temperatures in the teens. It has purplish pink flowers a little darker than California pitcher sage. It likes little part shade in the interior. Although it does better with a little moisture. It made it through our 110 degree F. summer on only 12 inches of rainfall in our demonstration garden. It just went summer deciduous. Wallace's Pitcher sage has fragrant foliage.
Lepechinia ganderi, San Diego Pitcher sage
San Diego pitcher sage looks a lot different from the other to mentioned here. The foliage is more shiny , not so hairy, and darker green with purplish stems and tints of purple in the foliage. The flowers aren't so elongated with smaller less prominent sepals. It the most elegant of the three. It likes rock soils. It is real happy in a rock garden or with a large rock next to it.
Some of the Artemisia plants that are native to California.
Artemisia californica, California Sagebrush
California Sagebrush has soft, fragrant, gray foliage. It grows around 3 feet tall. California Sagebrush is happiest along the coast in mild climates. It has feathery foliage.
Artemisia californica, Canyon Grey Trailing Sagebrush
Canyon gray sage brush is a California sagebrush that stays only about a foot tall. It has the same feathery gray foliage and fragrance as the regular California sagebrush. It will tolerate serpentine and clay soils as well as well drained soils.
Artemisia californica X Montara
Artemisia californica X Montara is another low growing Artemisia. It is a naturally occurring hybrid between Artemisia californica and Artemisia pycnocephala. It reaches only about a foot tall. Montara tolerates sea side conditions, clay, and serpentine soil.
Artemisia tridentata, Great Basin Sagebrush
Great Basin Sagebrush has larger leaves but the same gray foliage and fragrance. It is found in large portions of very dry areas in northern and central California. It is a little more substantial than California sage brush. It is about 4 feet tall. Great basin sagebrush likes sandy well drained soil.
Bladder Sage grows along the edge of the California deserts up into the areas where is is almost non-desert like.
