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Key characteristics

Family: Lamiaceae
Height: 1 ft to 2 ft
Width: 2 ft to 4 ft
Flower color: Deep violet blue flowers held in dense clusters above the foliage
Foliage color: Silvery gray aromatic leaves with a narrow shape and softly textured surface
Bloom time: Late spring to summer
Light: Full sun
Water: Low
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly after flowering and avoid cutting into old woody stems
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 9
Wildlife: Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and pollinators attracted to nectar rich flowers

Perennials

Salvia dorrii

Desert Sage

Salvia dorrii produces whorls of violet-blue flowers surrounded by mauve-pink bracts in late spring to early summer, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Narrow, aromatic leaves are silvery gray and softly textured, forming a dense mound. The foliage releases a distinctive herbal fragrance when brushed, while the flowers are carried on upright stems above the leaves, adding color and structure during bloom.

Native to the arid regions of the western United States, this species is adapted to open landscapes and rocky terrain.

Light

Full sun

Water

Low

Bloom time

Late spring to summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Sun Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Hummingbird Gardens
Waterwise Gardens

Companion plants

Asters · Catmint · Coreopsis · Bearded irises · Bee balm · Yarrow

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)