Extraordinarily showy, Salvia dorrii (Desert Sage) is a woody evergreen subshrub, producing narrowly lance-shaped, silvery gray, aromatic leaves on square stems and spectacular deep blue-violet flower spikes in late spring to mid-summer. Larger than most other sages, the intensely colored inflorescences of bright blue to blue-violet flowers extend beyond the pinkish-purple bracts, while their long stamen add further elegance to the display. A favorite of bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, this Salvia is a gardener’s dream: it requires little water, little maintenance, is heat and cold hardy, and produces eye-catching flowers over a very long season. The foliage has an intense but pleasant, mildly intoxicating minty aroma when handled or crushed. Desert Sage branches freely and can form extensive clumps. Recommended for xeriscaping.

• Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 2-4 ft. wide (60-120 cm).
• Enjoys full sun in dry, sandy, sharply-drained soils.
• Very useful and adaptable in the garden, it is trouble-free and easy to grow. Makes an attractive accent in borders, butterfly gardens, or dry desert gardens.
• Drought tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant.
• Propagate from seeds or softwood cuttings. Cold-moist stratification is usually required for germination.
• Native to the western United States.