Desert sage (Salvia dorrii) is a herbaceous perennial or woody subshrub in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Native to mountain areas in the western United States, it thrives in dry, well-draining soils. The narrow, grey-green leaves emit a minty aroma when handled or crushed. Its mauve to purple, spike-like flower clusters remain on the plant in dried form for several weeks or months after blooming.

This heavy-blooming sage is an excellent choice for desert or high-elevation gardens. Also known as tobacco sage, Dorr's sage, mint sage, or purple sage, it attracts insects and provides valuable color and texture to the landscape.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Selected for the garden.

Dorr's Sage (Salvia dorrii var. dorrii) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California.

Hairy Sage (Salvia dorrii var. pilosa) is a common native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry rocky places, at elevations from 3300-13100 feet.

Salvia funerea (Death Valley sage, woolly sage, funeral sage) is an intricately branched shrub associated with limestone soils in the Mojave Desert. It has an overall white appearance due to wooly hairs that cover the stems and leaves. The plant can be found in dry washes and canyons in Inyo County, California, on the western slopes of the Funeral Mountains, Black Mountains, and Granite Mountains, in Titus Canyon in the Grapevine Mountains, and in the northern Panamint Mountains.

Salvia greatae is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its common names include Orocopia sage and lavender sage. The plant is endemic to California, where it is found in the mountainous Colorado Desert of southern Riverside and northern Imperial Counties, mainly in the Orocopia and Chocolate Mountains. This plant grows in Sonoran Desert ecoregion habitats, on floodplains and along the edges of washes. It is scattered in distribution but it can be a dominant species in patches of appropriate habitat. Salvia greatae forms a low, rounded [shrub]] under 1 metre (3. 3 ft) tall, its many branches coated in tangled, glandular hairs. The non-deciduous, hairy leaves are up to 2 centimeters long, the edges lined with several long, sharp-pointed teeth tipped with spines. Flowers are borne in interrupted clusters along the stem branches. Each flower has a double-lipped tubular corolla about a centimeter long in a shade of pinkish purple. The corolla is surrounded by spiny sepals. It is aromatic.

Salvia mohavensis (Mojave sage) is a species of sage endemic to the Mojave Desert. It is a low rounded shrub growing to 1 m tall with small opposite evergreen leaves 1. 5-2 cm long, which are dark green or may appear nearly gray due to a covering of fine white hairs. The 2 cm long flowers are pale blue with protruding stamens, and occur in headlike whorls that occur singly at the tip of the stem. It blooms from April to June.

This long-lived sage is a three-way hybrid between salvia mojavensis, s. clevelandii and s. dorrii. It combines the strong aroma and silvery leaves of the Desert sage, the showy whorled flower spikes of the Cleveland sage, and the deep cobalt-blue flowers, hardiness and extreme drought tolerance of the Desert Purple sage. The hybrid Desert sage loves full sun and requires very well drained soils. It performs very well in the low deserts and in the Riverside area. The flowers that appear on this 3' x 3' plant in fall and spring attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other native pollinators. Trim off seed heads (after the songbirds are done with them) and prune lightly to maintain form after flowering.

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.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Selected for the garden. Introduced by Rancho santa Ana Botanic Garden.

Horticultural selection from salvia munzii. This salvia is a small mounding plant with beautiful green foliage and pretty blue flowers. It is a great addition for a bird garden as birds love the blue flowers that come every blooming season. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Salvia pachyphylla (Blue sage, Mountain desert sage) is a perennial shrub native to California, Nevada, and Arizona. In California, it grows between 5,000 to 10,000 ft (1,500 to 3,000 m) elevation on dry rocky slopes, blooming from July to September. It reaches 1 to 2 ft (0. 30 to 0. 61 m) high, with blue-violet flowers, rarely rose, growing in dense clusters. In the course of a study of the chemical composition of the flora used in Latin American popular medicine, Ivan C. Guerrero and coworkers have performed phytochemical studies of extracts of the aerial parts from Salvia pachyphylla and Salvia clevelandii . S. pachyphylla is used by indigenous communities for its medicinal properties in the treatment of flu symptom. The major secondary metabolites isolated from these species and the cytotoxic effects against five human cancer cells were reported for eight of the compounds obtained: carnosol, rosmanol, 20-deoxocarnosol, carnosic acid, isorosmanol, 7-methoxyrosmanol, 5,6-didehydro-O-methylsugiol, 8ß-hydroxy-9(11),13-abietadien-12-one, 11,12-dioxoabieta-8,13-diene, and 11,12-dihydroxy-20-norabieta-5(10),8,11,13-tetraen-1-one and pachyphyllone.

Sonoma Sage or Creeping Sage is a member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) family native to California. It is found in the Coast Ranges, Peninsular Range, and Sierra foothills. As suggested by its common name, it is a mat-forming subshrub with stems growing no more about 40 centimeters high. The leaves are about 3-6 centimeters long and.5 to 1.5 centimeters wide; they are hairy, the upper surface with minute hairs, and the lower surface so densely covered with recurved hairs that it looks white. The flower clusters are scapose, with clusters 1 to 1.5 centimeter wide. The flowers range in color from white to blue, lilac and purple. It is moderately drought tolerant if given some shade. It is sensitive to heat and direct sun; leaf drop is an indication of too much sun or heat or inadequate moisture. In suitable growing conditions it will forma mat up to 15 ft. wide while remaining about 1 ft. high.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden by Kent Calkin, Creative Landscape Consultants, introduced by Cal Flora Nursery.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selection from the Cuesta Grade in san Luis Obispo Co.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Like many other species of salvia, Hummingbird Sage is a magnet for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and --- of course --- hummingbirds! This attractive sage is notable for its bold pink and red flowering spikes and pleasant fragrance. It spreads by rhizomes and over time can cover a large area, making it a popular groundcover plant.

Hummingbird Sage grows well in shade and part-shade. In its natural environment, it's often found under trees and large shrubs. It is drought tolerant and can survive without summer irrigation once established. Some supplemental water will keep the foliage green.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. From a collection made by Avis Keedy near Lake Cachuma in santa Barbara Co.and introduced by santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden. Introduced by Las pilitas Nursery.

Horticultural selection from salvia spathacea. This salvia is larger than the straight Hummingbird sage species. 'Powerline Pink' has large spikes of pink flowers and a strong, delightful fragrance. Due to the masses of tall flower spikes, it is a great addition to a bird garden. This plant is special in the garden because it can take both shade and low-water conditions. It is ideal under oaks. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden. Introduced by Las pilitas Nursery.

Horticultural selection from salvia spathacea. This unusual variety of Hummingbird sage sports flowers that start out yellow and mature to white as they fully open. They add variety when mixed in with the pink varieties of Hummingbird sage. This small and compact species of sage is loved by hummingbirds and produces beautifully fragrant foliage and flowers. Flowers are held on large spears that emerge from the center of the plant. This sage loves afternoon shade and does well in forest floors and in understory locations. They thrive in clay soil and part shade. The plant spreads by rhizomes and will spread once established. Ideal under oaks.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden (from santa Monica Mountains).

Attractive, hardy, and easy to grow, the Blue Elderberry is also an important food source for California wildlife. In spring, large clusters of cream-colored flowers attract butterflies and bees. The abundant blue berries provide food for birds and other animals. Humans can eat the fruit as long as it's cooked.

This fast-growing shrub is tolerant of a variety of growing conditions, although it does best in sun and well-drained moist, rich soil. It can grow to the size of a small tree, up to 30 feet tall but is easily shaped with pruning.

Pacific Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 18 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are white and striking, and bloom in the mid summer. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in moist places, at elevations from 0-5900 feet.

Scrophularia atrata is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the figwort family known by the common names black-flowered figwort and darkflowered figwort. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from a section of the Central Coast Ranges in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. It grows in the calcareous and diatomaceous soils of the coastal canyons at elevations not exceeding 500 meters. There have been 44 observed occurrences of this species, but perhaps 25 of these are historic and may no longer exist. This plant is a perennial herb producing an erect, four-sided stem up to a meter tall or slightly taller. It is somewhat hairy to densely woolly in texture. The leaves have toothed oval blades up to 10 centimeters long which are borne on long petioles. The inflorescence is a wide-open panicle with several hairy, glandular branches bearing flowers. The flower has an urn-shaped corolla with a rounded body and an open mouth at the top which is edged with hoodlike lobes. The corolla is deep, dark red to nearly black in color. The fruit is a capsule just under a centimeter long containing many seeds.

California bee plant (Scrophularia californica) is a perennial in the Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). The flowers are red to maroon and are so small that they are easy to miss. The wedge -shaped light green leaves are much larger than the flowers.

As the name suggests, bees are extremely attracted to the flowers. An important food source for small wasps and hummingbirds, it is also a host plant for the Chalcedon Checkerspot and Common Buckeye butterflies.

Bee plant grows in several habitats, including Wetland-Riparian, Coastal Sage Scrub, Pine Forests, Chaparral, and Redwood Forest. In moist soils it will form large colonies, but it can also successfully be grown in a pot.

Plant bee plant in the back of a perennial border where the tall stems won't block out shorter perennials, and where it can blend in when not in flower. Bee Plant flowers look like small, red jewels when backlit by the sun.

Scrophularia lanceolata is a species of flowering plant in the figwort family known by the common name lanceleaf figwort. It is native to North America, where it is known from western and eastern Canada and much of the United States except for the southeastern quadrant. It grows in many types of habitat, sometimes including disturbed areas such as roadsides. It is a perennial herb producing clusters of erect or spreading stems up to 1. 5 meters long. The oppositely arranged leaves have toothed, triangular or lance-shaped blades up to 14 centimetres (5. 5 in) long which are borne on short petioles. The inflorescence is a wide-open panicle with several hairy, glandular branches bearing flowers. The flower has a spherical or urn-shaped corolla opening at the top into a narrow mouth edged with hoodlike lobes. The corolla is roughly 1-1. 5 centimetres (0. 39-0. 59 in) long and is greenish tinged with brown or dull pink. The wide staminode is generally visible in the mouth of the corolla. The fruit is a capsule just under a centimeter long containing many seeds.

Sidalcea calycosa is a native annual herb in the Malvaceae (Mallow) family that grows in central and northern California from the coast to the central valley and Sierra foothills. It tends to grow in marshes, vernal pools and other wet places, at elevations from sea level to 3,900 feet. There are two recognized subspecies. Ssp. rhizomata (Pt. Reyes Checkerbloom) is a rare plant found only along the coast in Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Sidalcea calycosa is most often seen as an annual, but if conditions are right it may become a weak perennial growing from a rhizome. In the garden it needs a very wet area and not too much competition. If conditions are good it will spread.

Pt. Reyes Checkerbloom (Sidalcea calycosa ssp. rhizomata) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast and Central Coast regions. It tends to grow in marshes and wet places, at elevations from 0-3900 feet.

Sidalcea hickmanii is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family known generally by the common name chaparral checkerbloom. Sidalcea hickmanii is endemic to California, where it grows in the Central Coast Ranges, the Transverse Ranges and parts of the northern coast. There are four subspecies, most of which are separated geographically. The plant grows in chaparral and other habitat, sometimes on serpentine soils. This perennial herb produces a rough-haired stem up to a meter tall with a woody caudex at the base. The leaves have wide, fan-shaped blades which have rippled edges or divisions into narrow lobes. The inflorescence is an array of several racemes of flowers. Each has pinkish to purplish petals up to 2. 5 centimeters long. Subspecies. Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. anomala - Cuesta Pass checkerbloom is a rare subspecies known only from the vicinity of the Hwy. 101 Cuesta Pass in the southern Santa Lucia Mountains, in San Luis Obispo County, where it is limited to serpentine substrates. It has deeply lobed to almost compound leaves. While rare it becomes locally abundant in areas recently burned by wildfire. Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. hickmanii - Hickman's checkerbloom is limited to the Santa Lucia Mountains of Monterey County. Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. parishii - Parish's checkerbloom is a rare subspecies which has a disjunct distribution in the Transverse Ranges. It is known from the Santa Ynez Mountains north of Santa Barbara, as well as the San Bernardino Mountains on the inland eastern side of the greater Los Angeles Basin area. Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. viridis - Marin checkerbloom is known from Marin County and the northern San Francisco Bay Area, several hundred miles from the other subspecies.

Cuesta Pass Checkerbloom (Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. anomala) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in Southern and Central California, primarily in the South Coast Range and South Coast regions. It tends to grow at elevations from 200-7200 feet.

Sidalcea malachroides, with the common name mapleleaf checkerbloom, is a flowering plant in the genus Sidalcea. The plant is native to the California Coast Ranges in the North Coast and Monterey Bay regions of California, and the Oregon Coast Range in Oregon. It grows below 700 metres (2,300 ft) in elevation. Within California it is a Vulnerable species listed on the California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants. Sidalcea malachroides is a perennial herb or subshrub, 4-15 decimetres (16-59 in) tall. The leaves are generally all along stem. The flowers are head-like spikes, in white or pale purple-white. The bloom period is April to August.

Checker Bloom (Sidalcea malviflora) is a common native perennial herb in the Malvaceae (Mallow) family that grows in Northern, Southern and Central California, the Sierra Nevada and Sacramento Valley regions. It tends to grow in meadows and open flats, at elevations from sea level to 7,500 feet. It has bright green palmate leaves and 1" deep pink flowers arranged vertically on a spike. There are several recognized subspecies with different geographic ranges and slightly differing characteristics.

This plant tolerates a wide variety of soils, and prefers damp winter conditions and dry summer conditions. It is most often started from seed and sometimes behaves like an annual.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Dwarf Checkerbloom (Sidalcea malviflora ssp. laciniata) is a common native perennial herb that grows in Northern, Southern and Central California, primarily in the High Sierra Nevada and Sacramento Valley regions. It tends to grow in dry, open flats, at elevations from 0-7500 feet.

Checker Mallow (Sidalcea malviflora ssp. malviflora) is a common native perennial herb that grows in Northern, Southern and Central California, primarily in the High Sierra Nevada and Sacramento Valley regions. It tends to grow in dry, open places, at elevations from 0-7500 feet.

Salt Spring Checkerbloom (Sidalcea neomexicana) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 2.5 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are purple and striking, and bloom in the mid spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in alkaline springs and marshes, at elevations from 0-4900 feet.

Oregon Checker Mallow (Sidalcea oregana) is a native perennial herb that grows in Northern, Southern and Central California, primarily in the High Sierra Nevada region. It is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 4.5 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are purple and striking, and bloom in the late spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in wet meadows and marshes, at elevations from 0-9800 feet.

Oregon Checkerbloom (Sidalcea oregana ssp. oregana) is a native perennial herb that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow in wet meadows and marshes, at elevations from 1600-8200 feet.

Spicate Checker Mallow (Sidalcea oregana ssp. spicata) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in wet meadows and marshes, at elevations from 3600-9800 feet.

Checkerbloom (Sidalcea malviflora ssp. sparsifolia) is a common native that grows in California, primarily in the High Sierra Nevada and Sacramento Valley regions. It tends to grow in dry and open places, at elevations from 0-7500 feet.

Sidalcea stipularis is a rare species of flowering plant in the mallow family, known by the common name Scadden Flat checkerbloom. The plant is endemic to Nevada County in eastern California. It is known from only two occurrences on Scadden Flat in the Sierra Nevada foothills, near Grass Valley. It grows in marshy habitats. Sidalcea stipularis is a rhizomatous perennial herb, producing a bristle-haired stem up to 65 centimeters tall. The leaves have oval, unlobed blades on petioles and are evenly spaced along the stem. Each is accompanied by short stipules. The inflorescence is a headlike cluster of flowers with a cuplike skirt of hairy bracts. Each flower has five pink petals about 1. 5 centimeters long each. Threats to this rare species include the invasion of Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) into its habitat. One of the two occurrences is next to a road where there is heavy CalTrans activity. The plant has no federal protection but it is a state-listed endangered species in California, which means that killing or possessing this species is prohibited unless permitted by the California Department of Fish and Game (California Fish and Game Code Section 2080).

American nightshade (Solanum americanum) is an annual or short-lived perennial plant native to the Americas, ranging from the southern and western United States to Paraguay and Peru. It belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae) and thrives in a variety of habitats, making it a versatile choice for native gardens.

Solanum douglasii is a species of nightshade known by the common name greenspot nightshade. It is native to the northern half of Mexico and the southwestern south-central United States. Its habitat includes scrub and woodland. Solanum douglasii is a perennial herb or subshrub approaching two meters in maximum height. The stem is coated in short, white hairs. The leaves may be up to 9 centimeters long and have smooth or toothed edges. The inflorescence is an umbel-shaped array of flowers with star-shaped white corollas up to a centimeter wide. There are generally green spots at the bases of the corolla lobes. The yellow anthers are a few millimeters in length. Flowers may be seen blooming throughout much of the year. The fruit is a spherical berry up to a centimeter wide. Native Americans used the juice of the berries medicinally, and as dye for tattooing.

Parish's Nightshade (Solanum parishii) is a native shrub in the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family that grows in primarily in two disjunct regions, the mountains and valleys of northern California and the chaparral of southernmost California. It occurs from sea level up to elevations of 6,000 feet. A closely related species is Solanum xanti, and their ranges overlap in the southern counties. There are also several non-native species of Solanum that look very similar. Some are sold under the common name Potato Plant. The flowers of Solanum parishii are small but attractive. As with many other members of this family, the plant is poisonous to humans and some other animals, especially the fruits. Be cautious in using it where children or pets may have access. Due to the poisonous nature of many nightshades, tomatoes (also a member of the Solanaceae) were thought to be equally toxic by many North Americans as late as the early eighteenth century.

Bluewitch Nightshade (Solanum umbelliferum) is a native shrub Solanaceae (Nightshade) family that is widespread in California in various habitats and vegetation communities, at elevations from sea level to 5,200 feet. The stems are densely hairy and branched. The leaves are grey-green, elliptical to oval, and typically smooth edged. The flower is blue to purple in color, consisting of five petals fused together, with contrasting yellow anthers. The fruit is a sphere 12-14 mm in size. Its habit is mounding or sometimes vining, often found climbing up through more woody shrubs. All parts of the plant are toxic to people and some animals. However, it is very attractive to insects. If given occasional summer water it will stay leafed-out and may even continue to flower. If allowed to dry it will be summer deciduous. This is a very tough, hardy plant that will survive on neglect.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden from santa Lucia Mountains.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Solanum wallacei, also known as Wallace's nightshade, Catalina nightshade, Northern island nightshade, or Wild Tomato, is a perennial plant that produces purple flowers, but otherwise resembles a tomato plant. The foliage and purple-black berries are poisonous. This rare plant is native to canyons and hillsides on Santa Catalina and Guadalupe Islands. It blooms in April and May.