Salvia 'Bee's Bliss'. UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden
In the Mary Wattis Brown Garden of California Native Plants_Photo by Katie Hetrick UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden

Bee's Bliss sage

This plant grows well in the following regions:

  • CVCentral Valley
  • NCNorth and Central Coast
  • SCSouth Coast
Map of regions (click to enlarge)
map of California regions

Description

California
Native

Salvia 'Bee's Bliss' is just one of the many species of sage that are great for California gardens. There are many native and non-native species and cultivars that with low water needs that will attract hummingbirds bees, and butterflies to your garden. Las Pilitas Nursery has has a list of California native sages included in the More Information section of this page.

Salvia 'Bee's Bliss' is a garden hybrid selected in 1989 by Roger Raiche at the University of California Botanic Garden and named by Marcia Donahue. It is thought to be a cross of Salvia leucophylla with either Salvia sonomensis or Salvia clevlandii.

It grows 1-2 ft. tall and spreads quickly to 6-8 ft. wide, with purple-blue flowers in spring that attract pollinators, and goldfinches will feed on the seeds, but it is not attractive to browsing animals.

Makes an excellent fast-growing ground cover for slopes or cascading over rocks. Plant in full sun, but can tolerate afternoon shade in hot interior climates. Needs little or no water once established. Will grow in sand or clay soil.

Morning dampness and overhead irrigation can lead to powdery mildew problems, especially on the coast. Looks best with occasional deep watering.

Sun needs:

  • Full sun
  • Partial sun

Water needs:

  • Low water
Water needs information from WUCOLS unless otherwise noted