Description

Rose sage grows in rocky, exposed areas in the mountains of the Mojave Desert, Baja and the Southwest. It grows as an open, mounding shrub or groundcover to around two feet in height. The leaves are a silver green with a waxy cast which allows this sage to conserve moisture in its desert habitat. The flowers are quite ornate, with a combination of blues, lavender and magenta. They are arguably the most beautiful flowers of all California’s sages. Rose sage is somewhat temperamental, but once established can thrive in gardens in many parts of California. Full sun and well-draining, gritty soil are a good place to start. In my San Jose garden, I have grown this sage for many years in a mounded, well-draining bed amended with decomposed granite.