Salvia spathacea

This fruity scented sage blooms in March to May with typically dark rose-lilac colored flowers.

The pitcher sage is found in the California coast ranges from the Sacramento Valley south to the San Diego area.

It is a common species that grows on open or shady slopes in moist oak woodland, chaparral, and coastal sage scrub not far from the Pacific Ocean.

[3][4] Salvia spathacea is an evergreen perennial with flowering stems growing from a woody base, 30–150 cm (12–59 in) tall.

When not flowering plants grow less than 50 cm (20 in) tall, forming clumps of sprawling foliage.

[4] Like many species in the mint family it has very pronounced square stems, and the entire plant is covered with wavy glandular hairs.

[3] Salvia spathacea is easy to grow in the garden, and is a very useful groundcover for dry shade under oaks.

Salvia spathacea has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Salvia spathacea closeup. W. L. Jepson wrote in "The Flora of California" : "The folk generally admire its form, but even sedate botanists remember its richness of color and a certain opulence of habit in contrast with its chaparral habitat."