This is just one post in the Drought Tolerant Landscaping Category

Don’t spoil salvia: Cut back on food and water to get the most out of native sage

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on June 29, 2008 at 6:34 am

From the San Diego Union-Tribune:

“Know what you’re dealing with if you want to be successful growing native salvias,” said David Fross, owner of Native Sons Nursery.

This sage advice comes from a renowned native plant horticulturist who collects, propagates and sells plants through his wholesale nursery, located in Arroyo Grande. His specialty is water-thrifty plants for Mediterranean-style climates like that of San Diego.

Given Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s declaration of drought conditions earlier this month, gardeners here and throughout the state are increasingly in the hunt for water-wise plants. Native California sages are certain to be on everyone’s drought-tolerant list. The key to growing them is knowing how to care for them in gardens, a far different environment from their native habitats. Most gardeners spoil them with kindness, with too much water, too often. This defeats the point of their water thriftiness and also ruins their looks.

“Salvias native to California have evolved in this Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers,” Fross said. “They have adapted to become semi-dormant in summer. They drop their inner leaves and look woody. Too many people plant salvias and then treat them as ordinary garden plants and water them to death.”

There are 19 salvia species native to California, and an ever increasing number of selections and cultivars with this heritage in their botanical genetic makeup.

Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune by clicking here.

High Country Gardens has many different varieties of salvia to choose from, including a pre-planned xeric (very low water use) garden. They also carry multitudes of other low water use plants as well. Click here to visit the High Country Gardens website.

June 29, 2008 · Filed Under Drought Tolerant Landscaping