Salvia leucophylla ‘Point Sal Spreader’ – Purple Sage that is
This low growing native California shrub typically remains under 2 1/2 feet high and spreads to 10 feet wide but can climb higher onto other plants or objects. It has silver white lance-shaped foliage with impressed venation on the upper side. The spring blooming flowers are rose-pink on stem circling whorled clusters called verticillasters. A very drought tolerant plant, particularly in coastal gardens.
This form was originally collected in 1982 on Point Sal (Santa Barbara County) by Dr. Dale Smith of University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB #82152).
‘Pt. Sal’ flowers form a more useful and therefore more commonly seen mounding form, growing just 24-30″ tall and spreading to 6′ or more, with the pale lilac pink flowers held above on the usual upright, whorled spikes. Just like the taller standard form this requires some watering to keep it from going completely summer-dormant from drought.
Adding ‘Bon Bon’, ‘Blue Lime’, and brandegei ‘Pacific Blue’ to the wish list 🙂