Salvia chamaedryoides (Germander Sage)

A popular choice for water-wise gardens, Salvia chamaedryoides (Germander Sage) is a low-growing, woody-based perennial forming an attractive spreading mound of small narrow silvery-green leaves, less than 1 in. long (2.5 cm). Blooming from mid-spring to fall, brilliant true blue flowers, 1 in. long (2.5 cm), adorned with wide lips, appear in terminal clusters above the foliage. The sparkling blue blossoms attract butterflies and hummingbirds but are ignored by deer. Mostly evergreen in mild winter areas, this Mexican native is quite versatile. It is great for use at the front of sunny borders or as a small-scale ground cover in water-wise gardens.

• Grows 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
• Performs best in full sun (tolerates light shade) in well-drained soils. Requires little watering once it is established. Drought tolerant but blooms longer and better with more water.
• Perfectly suited for beds and borders, wall-side borders, city gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, and Mediterranean gardens.
• Deadhead to promote more bloom.
• Keep an eye out for slugs and snails, capsid bug, rosemary beetle and leafhoppers, powdery mildews, foot and root rots, and verticillium wilt. Deer resistant.
• Needs little pruning. Prune lightly in mid to late spring, removing unsightly shoots as required.
• Propagate by seed, division, or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or autumn with bottom heat.
• Native to Mexico.