Fragrant sage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fragrant sage |
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Salvia clevelandii, also known as fragrant sage or Cleveland sage, is a beautiful plant that lives for many years. It is a type of Salvia plant. This plant grows naturally in Southern California and northern Baja California. You can find it in areas below 900 meters (about 3,000 feet) in height. The plant was named in 1874 by a scientist named Asa Gray. He named it to honor Daniel Cleveland, who was a plant collector.
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What Does Cleveland Sage Look Like?
Cleveland sage is an evergreen shrub. This means it stays green all year long. It usually grows to be about 1 to 1.5 meters (3 to 5 feet) tall. It also spreads out about the same width.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of Cleveland sage are very special. They are grayish-green and have a lovely smell. They are shaped like an oval and feel a bit wrinkly. Each leaf is quite small, less than 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) long.
The flowers are a beautiful purple-blue color, like an amethyst gem. They grow on tall spikes that can be about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long. Many flowers grow in circles around these spikes. They usually open up in June and July.
Growing Cleveland Sage
Cleveland sage is a very popular plant for gardens in the Southwest USA. People have been growing it since the 1940s. It is a great choice for gardens because it is easy to care for in certain climates.
Best Growing Conditions
These plants like dry summers. They also need soil that drains water well, so their roots do not get too wet. Cleveland sage can grow in full sunlight, especially in places where the weather is not too hot. In a garden, these plants usually live for about five to ten years. They can also handle cold temperatures down to about -7 degrees Celsius (19 degrees Fahrenheit).
Different Types of Cleveland Sage
There are many different types of Cleveland sage that gardeners like to grow. These are called cultivars or hybrids.
- Winnifred Gilman is a popular type with very bright purple-blue flowers.
- Betsy Clebsch is a shorter type. Its flowers can be many different colors.
- Other types like Allen Chickering, Aromas, Pozo Blue, Santa Cruz Dark, and Whirly Blue are hybrids. They look similar to the original Cleveland sage.
Cleveland sage is also one of the parent plants for another hybrid plant called Salvia 'Celestial Blue'.
Images for kids
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A rare view of Salvia clevelandii flowers.
