Canyon sage facts for kids

Salvia lycioides is a beautiful plant often called Canyon sage. It's a type of plant that lives for more than two years, growing wild in a large area. You can find it from western Texas and New Mexico in the United States, all the way south into Mexico. It grows in places like dry limestone hills and canyons. These areas are usually high up, more than 5,000 feet above sea level.

This plant was officially named in 1886 by Asa Gray. He was a very famous American botanist, a scientist who studies plants, in the 1800s. The name "lycioides" comes from Greek words. It means the plant looks a bit like another plant called Lycium, which is also known as "boxthorn."

What Does Canyon Sage Look Like?

Canyon sage usually grows to be about 1 to 1.5 feet tall and wide. It spreads out nicely with many branches growing from its base.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of the Canyon sage are small, less than 1 inch long and half an inch wide. They are a pretty mistletoe-green color. In places with mild weather, these leaves stay green all year round.

The flowers are a bright, lovely cornflower-blue. They mostly bloom in the spring and fall, when the nights are cooler. You might see a few flowers during the summer too.

Canyon Sage in Gardens

Salvia lycioides is not very well-known in gardening. However, there is a special type called "Guadalupe Mountain Form." This version has smaller leaves and flowers. Its flowers are a very deep, rich blue color, like a delphinium flower.