Terra Seca Black Sage (Salvia mellifera 'Terra Seca') | Low Spreading California Native Sage

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Terra Seca Black Sage

Salvia melifera 'Terra Seca'

A low, spreading California native sage with fragrant gray-green foliage and soft pale lavender-white flowers.

$52.90

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Description

Salvia mellifera 'Terra Seca' is a superior, low-growing selection of the California native Black Sage, prized for its compact, spreading habit, fragrant foliage, and tolerance for more water and shade than the species. This semi-evergreen shrub forms a wide, dense, mounding mat of linear, textured, aromatic, gray-green leaves. From early spring through summer, it produces an abundance of long, upright to arching stems bearing layered whorls (verticillasters) of small, two-lipped, tubular flowers in soft, pale lavender to white, creating a delicate, airy display. The flowers are highly attractive to native bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators, as well as birds and other wildlife. With its excellent tolerance for a range of conditions (including more shade and water than the species), its ground-covering habit, and its ecological value, it is an outstanding choice for native plant gardens, slopes (for erosion control), mass plantings, under oaks, wildlife gardens, and water-wise landscapes.

Quick Facts

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Light: Full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than species)

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Foliage & Flowers: Linear, textured, aromatic, gray-green leaves; long, upright to arching stems with layered whorls of small, two-lipped, tubular, soft pale lavender to white flowers, blooming from early spring through summer .
Mature Height: 12-24 inches (1-2 ft)
Mature Spread: 48-72 inches (4-6 ft)
Growth Rate: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: USDA 8-10 ; Sunset 7-9, 14-24
Core Benefits: Compact, wide-spreading ground cover habit, fragrant gray-green foliage, soft lavender-white flowers, more tolerant of shade and water than species, attracts native bees and hummingbirds.
Best Uses: Native plant gardens, slopes (erosion control), mass plantings, under oaks, wildlife gardens, water-wise landscapes, ground cover.

Faqs

Q: How is 'Terra Seca' different from the species Black Sage (Salvia mellifera)?
A: This selection is lower-growing and more spreading (1-2 ft tall, 4-6 ft wide vs. 3-6 ft tall), and it is more tolerant of shade and supplemental water than the species, making it more adaptable to garden conditions.

Q: How large does it get?
A: It is a low, wide-spreading shrub, typically reaching 1-2 feet in height and 4-6 feet in spread.

Q: When does it bloom?
A: It blooms from early spring through summer, providing a long season of soft, pale lavender-white flowers.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: It is more shade tolerant than the species and performs well in full sun to partial shade. It is an excellent choice for under oaks and other partly shaded locations.

Q: How much water does it need?
A: Once established, it is drought tolerant but can tolerate more supplemental water than the species. Water regularly during its first year, then occasional deep watering during dry periods is sufficient.

Q: Does it attract pollinators?
A: Yes, the flowers are highly attractive to native bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators, as well as birds and other wildlife.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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