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Salvia spathacea –Lamiaceae (Labiatae) - ‘Humminbird Sage ,' ‘Pitcher Sage ' – This is a fine and most unusual California native Sage, which is different in many respects from the usual shrubby, sun-loving type brought to mind by plants like White Sage and Purple Sage. This is a deep green, ground hugging plant which, in nature, spreads at the roots forming dense colonies of plantlets in partly shaded, seasonally dry mulchy soils like that found under live oaks. In flower, each plantlet is topped by an amazing column of maroon-pink flowers in stacked whorls, rising to 2'-5' tall. The entire plant, especially the flower stalks, are covered with a sticky and exquisitely scented oil which I find to be one of the most amazing smells in our native flora. Michael Moore (the herbalist, not the filmmaker) calls this one of his favorite tea herbs, saying, "It has a strong, musky, sweet taste that is never bitter but which can be overwhelming if you don't like strong teas ... and just perfect if you do."

Hummingbird Sage lives up to its namesake, being easily the most popular plant with the Anna's Hummingbirds that reside in my garden. Because of its unusual habit, this Sage is more tolerant of what is called 'ordinary garden conditions' which includes some summer water, shade, and manured or mulched soils than the other native Sages. It will respond to rich soil with rich growth, but it must be well-drained and free of winter puddles. On the Redwood Coast, it will thrive in full sun to part shade, but it would require some shade in the hot dry hills of the interior. It is hardy to at least 20°F, and will sprout from the roots if hit by even lower temperatures.