Celestial Blue Sage

Carried by 33 nurseries

Estimated plant range Estimated plant range

Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Plant description

Distinguished by its large bluish-purple flowers, celestial blue sage (Salvia ‘Celestial Blue’) attracts many native pollinators to the garden. Celestial blue sage is a hybrid created by Bert Wilson, the founder of Las Pilitas Nursery. It is a cross of Salvia clevelandii, Salvia pachyphylla, and Salvia leucophylla (Cleveland, blue, and purple sage).

Hardy and easy to grow, this low-water shrub is tolerant of coarse, sandy soil and summer heat. It grows in large mounds that can reach 5 ft in width and height. Fragrant gray-green leaves accent the richly colored blooms. The flowers attract hummingbirds, moths, and butterflies, including the Swallowtail. The seeds provide food for songbirds.

Celestial blue sage does well on dry sunny slopes and in other areas where growing conditions may be challenging for other plants. It can be used for erosion control and as a groundcover

Plant overview

Plant type

Shrub

Size

4 - 5 ft Tall
4 - 5 ft Wide

Form

Rounded

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Evergreen, Summer Semi-deciduous

Fragrance

Pleasant

Color

Purple

Flowering season

Summer, Spring

Special uses

Groundcover

Landscaping information

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low

Cold tolerance

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soils.

Wildlife supported

Hummingbirds

Birds

Caterpillars

Butterflies

Alternative names

Common names:

Celestial Blue Sage

Sources

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Additional references for this page:

Thanks to Moosa Creek Nursery and the Theodore Payne Foundation for sharing information about this plant