Description

One of the benefits of growing native plants is the possibility that related plants will produce interesting hybrids. Many of our long-standing favorites were discovered as chance garden hybrids. ‘Dr. Hurd’ manzanita and ‘Dark Star’ ceanothus are two of many examples. Salvia ‘Pozo Blue’ is one of these chance hybrids, discovered and released by Las Pilitas Nursery in Santa Margarita. It is thought to be a hybrid between Salvia leucophylla and Salvia clevelandii. It combines some of the best characteristics of each parent. The form is upright and rounded, growing to about three feet. The fragrant leaves are silvery gray. In spring the lavender flowers cover the plant thickly, attracting many pollinators for weeks. Plant ‘Pozo Blue’ in a sunny spot, water for the first year, and then just let it live on what the rain provides.