Salvia clevelandii
If you make love spring up common sage in your herbaceous plant garden and hold out in a lovesome area , you ’ll require to count adding Cleveland sage into the mixture .
Salvia clevelandii , also have sex as California blue , fragrant , and most often , Cleveland sage , is a tight - growing , highly aromatic herb that is native to the sea-coast of southern California . It ’s worthy for cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 - 11 .
It is a small plant , producing gray - green foliage and leathery leave . Growing to around four feet tall and all-embracing , this plant bears beautiful blue - reddish blue peak , and also has fragrant leaves that can be used in cooking .
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Known for attracting hummingbirds , this appendage of the Lamiaceae family is remarkably easy to give care for .
In fact , if you have essay arise common sage in the past , you should n’t have too much trouble get word the ropes with this attractive species .
You ’ll find everything you need to get go below !
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
extension
How to Grow
Cultivars
Maintenance
Pests and Disease
Harvesting and Preserving
A hard scented plant , Cleveland sage is a deary of bees and human race alike . It smells just like the common eccentric but is known for being much more powerful .
aboriginal to California , with multiple cultivar and hybrids usable to the home gardener , this plant was first introduced by the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation in 1981 .
coarse name(s):California blue sage , Cleveland sage
Plant eccentric : Perennial herb
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):3 - 10
aboriginal to : California , USA
efflorescence time / season : Late spring / early summer
Exposure : Full sun to part shade
grunge eccentric : Sandy , loamy , well drain
filth pH:6.0 - 8.0 , slenderly acidic to alkaline
Spacing : 15 in
Planting depth:1/8 inch ( seed )
Mature size:4 feet wide x 4 feet high
Water penury : Low
Taxonomy
Order : Lamiales
Family : Lamiaceae
Genus : Salvia
specie : Clevelandii
Cultivars : Allen Chickering , Aromas , Betsy Clebsch , Winnifred Gilman
Also referred to as blue salvia , S. clevelandiiis dissimilar fromS. azureavar.grandiflora , another plant that is often refer to by this name .
There are two explanations given for the coarse name of this industrial plant . Some suggest that the plant was named after Grover Cleveland , the former President of the United States of the United States .
Others argue that the name comes from the fact that this plant is find produce in the Cleveland National Forest in Santa Ysabel , California , which itself also commemorate the name of the president .
Still others suggest that the works is list in honor of Daniel Cleveland , an unpaid botanist and the cofounder of the San Diego Society of Natural History .
The plant has many culinary and medicinal uses .
The Kumeyaay tribes of Baja California use the seeds of the plant to season pale yellow for added grain and tang , and burn the leaf for ceremonial smudges , according to botanists at the University of San Diego .
Leaves are frequently used medicinally to free respiratory problems , while the seeds can also be ground up and wassail to make a stunner named pinole , one that typically contains ground maize but can also be made with sage seeds , as well as cocoa , agave , vanilla , cinnamon , and other spice .
Cleveland sage is well-fixed to grow from seed , and seedlings should issue in 13 to 21 days . They do not need fertiliser , specially if you start with fertile soil .
To start seeded player alfresco , you may sow them directly in the ground in spring , after all risk of icing has passed .
Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep in moist soil . Maintain even wet , but do not permit the territory become waterlogged , until germination .
Thin seedling to 15 column inch aside when they have two to three pairs of true leaves .
You may alsostart seeds indoorssix to eight workweek before you intend to plant them out , taking your local mean last frost date into thoughtfulness .
Plant seed about 1/8 inch deep in a moist , well - draining semen starting mix in individual cadre about one and a one-half inches wide and two to three column inch mystifying .
Sow two to three seeded player per cell and tenuous to the solid seedling once they emerge .
If set indoors , verify you put your source protrude containers in lineal sunlight orunder grow lights , as the seedlings will postulate about 16 hour of light per day , and eight hours of darkness at nighttime .
If you started your seeds in small cells , you should transfer them to three- or four - inch pots once they have at least two pairs of leaf . This will help them build up stronger roots .
Before transplant to the garden , take the time to harden off your seedling . Do this by moving them to a sheltered place outdoors for a week .
On the first day , provide just a few hours of out-of-door time . Gradually increase the amount of time over the form of a week until they can expend all day out of doors .
When transplanting , choose a position in full sun , and dig a hole for each plant that is just large enough to hold the ascendant ball .
mildly remove the plant life and loosen the root word with your fingers . Set each works about 15 inches apart . Backfill with soil , then press down hard with your mitt . Water soundly .
you could also start up from stem cutting off or by separate existing clump . Ourguide to growing sageprovides more info .
found your Cleveland sage in a localization that receives full Dominicus and take fecund , well - drained soil .
This plant can tolerate a smorgasbord of soil type as long as it is well - draining . It grows practiced in loam or sand , preferring a neutral pH of 6.0 to 8.0 . Fertilizing your plants is not necessary as they are not heavy feeders .
fond shade is also satisfactory and even worthy if develop this flora in an extremely spicy , dry environment , such as those at the more extreme last of the develop range .
Before planting , turn the ground under to a depth of eight in and murder any large Harlan Stone or weeds . You may wish to summate a bit of compost or other organic thing to better the soil before you plant .
Water regularly while your plant are young . For the first few hebdomad , render about aninch of waterper week in the absence of rain .
Although Cleveland salvia is drought - tolerant once institute , it can not allow dry out out all when it is young .
Apply a stratum of constitutive mulch , like straw or wood chips , to help conserve wet and sum up food back to the soil . ripened bark andshredded leavesalso work well .
Keep gage under control by mulching or remove them by deal .
Cultivars to Select
There are several cultivar and hybrids to consider develop as you get started with establish Cleveland salvia .
Allen Chickering
name after Allen Chickering , a mention environmentalist in California in the mid-1900s , this cross ofS. clevelandiiandS. leucophyllaproduces whorls of gorgeous lavender - profane flowers during the summer months .
It ’s best for cheery areas and grows to three or four feet tall and wide-eyed , with a rounded habit .
Aromas
‘ Aromas ’ is a cultivar that is a bit larger than the others , growing to four or five metrical foot marvellous and broad .
It has a rounded wont and is often used as a landscaping works .
Betsy Clebsch
Another unique cultivar to believe , S. clevelandii‘Betsy Clebsch ’ is key out in honor of the noted Northern California amateur phytologist and horticulturist of the same name .
This one has lavender and white-hot flush . It grows in a compendious style , only reach about two foot tall and wide .
Winnifred Gilman
‘ Winnifred Gilman ’ is a rounded flora that raise gray - green farewell and lilac-colored flowers on shank that are 18 to 24 inches marvelous . It is a small variety show , growing to just three feet marvelous and wide . It bloom early in the summertime .
Very little criminal maintenance is required to care for Cleveland sage .
you’re able to deadhead itto put out the blooming time of year but this is not necessary for the plant ’s health . In the dip , it can be crop to help it maintain a more heavyset sizing .
There are not many blighter and diseases to which Cleveland sage is prone . However , you should keep an middle out for nematodes , spittlebugs , and root putrefaction . Fortunately , herbivore do n’t give care much for this industrial plant !
roundworm make impairment to plants that mime the effect of overwatering . The growth of your plants may seem to be stunted and the foliage might turn yellowish . Limit lacrimation and ensure the land has prison term to dry out out .
If nematodes proceed to be a problem in a planting internet site , you may need to select another for future plantings .
Spittlebugs look much like leafhoppers and deposit their eggs near the soil surface . nymph and adults will suck works juices , induce stunted growth .
Spittlebugs can be handpicked or absent with a quick blow of waterfrom the hose . Insecticidal liquid ecstasy can also be used .
Root rot causes the foliage to turn brownish . get by a fungal pathogen that privilege excess wet around the roots , it is common in soils that are badly or slowly drain .
This job is most easily prevent by keeping plant juiceless . Let the soil dry completely between lachrymation and , after the plant is well established , cease watering entirely .
It is drouth - large-minded and easily damaged in waterlogged soil . allow ample spacing around works for melodic phrase circulation .
The leave-taking of Cleveland sage can be harvested just as you would harvest leaves from any other salvia plant . Cut an entire stem at once , or just squeeze a few individual leaves at a fourth dimension to employ in your cooking .
The dependable sapidity will be found when you glean leaves prior to bloom . It generally takes around 75 days from inseminate seeds for the plant life to produce harvestable parting .
Both young and old leaves can be glean , but those that are younger will have a full look .
When harvesting , be sure to leave a few stalks with their leave entire so that the plant can reclaim . Frequent harvest home will encourage the flora to develop a good build and will invigorate it , invite future growth .
Drying your Cleveland sage leaf is the dear method of preserving them . cumulate a group of stems together in a bundle , then hang them upside down to dry .
Once dry , you could strip the stems of their leaves and pack the leave into jars . lay in these out of lineal sunlight in a dry place .
Get more tip on drying herbs here .
Best Uses
Although many people uprise Cleveland sage to harvest its comestible and aromatic leave , it has a smorgasbord of other use of goods and services as well .
It is oft grown as a bank stabilizer and to draw in pollinators and wildlife like birds , butterflies , bees , and hummingbirds .
It play wonders in an informal flower garden , as well as in containers . It is extremely drought tolerant and is ideal forxeriscaping .
When grown for its edible leaves , this plant can be used much like you would use the leaf of vernacular salvia . They provide fantastic seasoning for poultry and fish dish aerial and can also be used to make fragrant dried sachets .
The Secret to an Aromatic Garden
Cleveland sage is the ideal plant for the waterwise garden , requiring very little moisture and forethought once established . With a rounded form and pollinator - attract blue - royal peak , this plant is perfect for a backyard garden .
Although it is often grown to add decorative interest , blooming for well over a month in many guinea pig , its leave-taking can also be harvested for usage in the kitchen .
Often institute in southwestern gardens , there are several cultivars and hybrids of this plant for you to consider .
If a garden that appeal to all of your senses is what you ’re after , Cleveland sage is the direction to go . It look beautiful , has delicious try out leaves that feel soft between your fingers , and smell heavenly .
And for more information aboutgrowing herbsin your garden , you ’ll obtain helpful selective information here :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more point . to begin with published June 14th , 2021 . Last update February 26th , 2025 . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Rebekah Pierce
