Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Salvia pachyphylla
Rose Sage
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Height
- 2 to 3 feet
- Width
- 2 to 3 feet
- Flower color
- Bluish-purple flowers with rosy pink bracts
- Foliage color
- Silvery gray
- Bloom time
- Summer, from July to September
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Drought-tolerant
- Maintenance
- Low; may require light pruning after flowering
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 through 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
About this plant
Salvia pachyphylla, commonly known as rose sage or mountain desert sage, is a perennial shrub renowned for its silvery, aromatic foliage and vibrant flower spikes. Blooming from mid-summer through early autumn, it produces dense clusters of violet-blue flowers, often surrounded by showy, rose-colored bracts. These blossoms are a favorite of pollinators, particularly bees and hummingbirds, adding lively activity to the garden.
Native to the arid mountain regions of California and Nevada, Salvia pachyphylla thrives in harsh conditions, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping or low-maintenance landscapes. Its ability to withstand drought and its unique color palette make it an enduring favorite for gardeners seeking plants that combine resilience with ornamental appeal.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Waterwise Gardens · Native Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens
Companion plants
Sneezeweed · Barberry · Daisy bush · Blue-eyed grass · Bellflower · Glossy abelia
Design tip
Use the silvery foliage of rose sage as a cooling counterpoint to its intense violet-blue flowers and rosy bracts. Repeating a few plants through a sunny, waterwise planting carries that distinctive color combination across the garden without requiring a large mass.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
