Salvia pachyphylla
“Desert Mountain Sage”

Possibly the most beautiful & fragrant of native California sages. Hard to find too. It makes a short, evergreen shrub to 2’ tall and bears, in Summer & Fall, stunning violet blue petals surrounded and (almost overwhelmed) by bright, rose colored bracts. The densely held flower clusters are intensely aromatic (sweet) and soft to the touch. The smooth gray foliage is attractive. Naturally growing at high elevation in Southern California, it tolerates very low temps and requires excellent drainage. Grows slowly.