Sonoma sage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sonoma sage |
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Salvia sonomensis (also known as Sonoma sage or creeping sage) is a special plant that grows only in California. It's a type of perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. This plant stays low to the ground and spreads out, almost like a mat.
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What Does Sonoma Sage Look Like?
Salvia sonomensis is often called "creeping sage" because it grows close to the ground and spreads out. It's a type of subshrub, which is a small, woody plant. Its stems can grow up to about 30 cm (12 inches) tall. The flowers grow on stalks that stand about 15 cm (6 inches) above the leaves.
Leaves and Flowers
This plant can look quite different from one place to another. Its leaves can be long and thin, or shorter and more rounded. The color of the leaves also changes, from a yellow-green to a gray-green. The flowers can be light lavender, a deeper lavender-purple, or even lavender-blue.
Where Did Its Name Come From?
The second part of the plant's scientific name, sonomensis, comes from Sonoma County, California. This is one of the places where this plant naturally grows.
Where Does Sonoma Sage Grow?
S. sonomensis is found in three different parts of California. You can find it in the California Coast Ranges from Siskiyou County down to Napa County. It also grows from Monterey County to San Diego County. Another area where it lives is in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Its Natural Home
This plant likes to grow on dry hillsides and in woodlands. It can be found at elevations under 2,000 meters (about 6,560 feet).
How to Grow Sonoma Sage
Salvia sonomensis is quite easy to grow in gardens. However, it doesn't do well in heavy clay soils. It also doesn't like too much water.
Different Types of Sonoma Sage
There are several different kinds, or varieties, of this plant. They have different leaf shapes and flower colors. Some types, like 'Cone Peak' and 'Serra Peak', are very strong. They were chosen from plants that grew in higher, tougher places. There is also a white-flowered type called 'John Farmar-Bowers'.
Hybrid Plants
Some special hybrid plants exist too. These are believed to be a mix between S. sonomensis and another plant called S. mellifera. Two examples of these hybrids are 'Dara's Choice' and 'Mrs. Beard'.
