California Sage, Chia Sage, Golden Chia, Desert Chia, Chia
Widespread throughout southern California to Mexico, Salvia columbariae (Chia Sage) is a stunning annual boasting one or more round clusters packed with tiny, vivid-blue flowers in early spring to early summer. Borne along strongly vertical, square stems, each cluster contains one dozen to several dozens of two-lipped flowers. Usually, only a small number of these desert flowers are in bloom at any one time, so the most visible components of the cluster are the contrasting purple calyces. The blossoms are very attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The foliage is mostly basal, pinnately divided into narrow lobes, and covered with short bristly hairs. The flowers give way to tiny, nutritious oil-rich seeds. Once an important food for Native Americans, the seeds (Chia) were ground into meal and mixed with water to make mush. Recently rediscovered, Chia has become very popular as an extremely high source of omega-3 fatty acids. Found on fast-draining gravel slopes, Chia Sage thrives in fast-draining rock gardens conditions.
| Hardiness |
7 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Plant Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Salvia |
| Common names | Chia, Sage |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early) |
| Height | 4" - 2' (10cm - 60cm) |
| Spread | 10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm) |
| Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, California, Southwest, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Rocky Mountains, Utah |
| Tolerance | Drought, Clay Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
| Hardiness |
7 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Plant Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Salvia |
| Common names | Chia, Sage |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early) |
| Height | 4" - 2' (10cm - 60cm) |
| Spread | 10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm) |
| Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, California, Southwest, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Rocky Mountains, Utah |
| Tolerance | Drought, Clay Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
How many Salvia columbariae (Chia Sage) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Salvia columbariae (Chia Sage) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
