Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Munz's Sage (Salvia munzii) is a rare, and fairly small native shrub that grows in the southern part of the Peninsular Range in California, and down into Baja California, Mexico, where it is relatively common. It grows at elevations from 500-3000 feet, usually in very dry conditions. It is a compact sage that works well in a container or small space. Though it is very drought tolerant, it accepts summer water well. There is a horticultural variety known as 'Emerald Cascade' that is available in some nurseries.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

2 - 3 ft Tall
3 ft Wide

Form

Mounding

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Summer Semi-deciduous

Fragrance

Pleasant

Calscape icon
Color

Lavender

Flowering season

Winter, Spring

Special uses

Containers, Groundcover

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low, Very Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 20° F

Soil drainage

Medium

Soil description

Tolerates a variety of soils but performs best in well drained soil.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0

Site type

Rocky, dry slopes of southern San Diego County and northern Baja

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub

Chamise (Adenostem fasciculatum), San Diego County Viguiera (Bahiopsis laciniata), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Coastal Sagebrush (Artemisia californica), Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis), Ceanothus species, Common Sandaster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia), Dudleya species, California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum), Buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.), Mexican Flannelbush (Fremontodendron mexicanum), Tecate Cypress (Hesperocyparis forbesii), Lupinus species, Penstemon species, Bladderpod (Peritoma arborea), Oaks (Quercus spp.), Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri), White Sage (Salvia apiana), Woolly Bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum), Yucca species, cactus species.

Bats
Birds
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 6 likely

Confirmed Likely

Anstenoptilia marmarodactyla

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica

Bilobed Looper Moth

Megalographa biloba

Pherne subpunctata